North Carolina Court Exhibit Requirements
A comprehensive guide to preparing exhibits for North Carolina courts under NCGS 1A-1, Rule 26, including e-filing specifications via eCourts and formatting best practices.
- North Carolina's primary exhibit rule is NCGS 1A-1, Rule 26.
- Plaintiffs label exhibits with Numbers (1, 2, 3...).
- Defendants label exhibits with Letters (A, B, C...).
- The eCourts portal caps each document at 25 MB.
- Exhibit exchange deadline is 30 days before trial.
- Standard label position is the bottom-right corner of the first page; multi-page exhibits keep one number with per-page pagination ("Exhibit 1, p. 2 of 5").
- Bates numbering (page-level production identifiers) is independent of exhibit numbering and runs across the entire production.
Quick Reference
Updated 2026-01-3125 MB
Numbers (1, 2, 3...)
Letters (A, B, C...)
30 days before trial
Applicable Rules & Citations
Primary Rule
General discovery provisions including document production. Initial disclosures required under 2023 rule amendments.
Formatting Requirements
Rule 26(f)
Parties must meet and confer regarding discovery and exhibits. Pretrial order includes exhibit lists.
E-Filing System
North Carolina eCourts system for electronic filing. PDF format required. Rollout completed 2023.
Key Deadlines
Local Rules
Exhibit lists typically due 30 days before trial per local rules. Mecklenburg has specific pretrial order requirements.
Overview
North Carolina courts operate under NCGS 1A-1, Rule 26 for exhibit requirements. Electronic filing is handled through eCourts with a maximum file size of 25 MB. Exhibits must be exchanged 30 days before trial.
Key principle: Always verify your specific court's local rules, as individual counties may have additional requirements beyond the statewide rules.
North Carolina Exhibit Conventions
- eCourts system completed 2023 rollout
- 2023 discovery rule amendments added initial disclosures
- Business Court for complex commercial cases
- Strong mediation requirements
North Carolina Exhibit Marking
Standard Marking Conventions
Plaintiff Exhibits
Numbers (1, 2, 3...)
Defendant Exhibits
Letters (A, B, C...)
Check Local Court Rules
Individual courts within North Carolina may have specific local rules regarding exhibit marking, numbering sequences, and formatting. Always verify with your specific court before filing.
Court-Specific Requirements
Mecklenburg County (Charlotte)
Largest county. Has Business Court. Detailed pretrial order requirements for exhibit exchange.
Mecklenburg Local RulesWake County (Raleigh)
Capital county. Business Court division available. Standard pretrial procedures.
Wake County Local RuleseCourts E-Filing Requirements
File Format & Size
Document Specifications
- PDF format required for all filings
- 25 MB maximum per file
- Text-searchable PDFs recommended
Best Practices
- Include bookmarks for multi-exhibit PDFs
- No password protection
- Clear, legible exhibit stamps
Common Rejection Reasons
File Size Exceeds 25 MB Limit
Solution: Split large exhibits into parts. Label clearly (e.g., "Exhibit 5, Part 1 of 3"). ExhibitPrep exports individual files to manage size limits.
Missing or Illegible Exhibit Stamps
Solution: Use consistent, clearly visible exhibit stamps on every page. ExhibitPrep places stamps in the same position on every page automatically.
Incorrect Exhibit Numbering
Solution: Verify plaintiff exhibits use Numbers (1, 2, 3...) and defendant exhibits use Letters (A, B, C...). ExhibitPrep auto-numbers exhibits sequentially.
Late Exhibit Exchange
Solution: North Carolina requires exchange 30 days before trial. Plan ahead and prepare exhibits early to avoid last-minute issues.
How ExhibitPrep Helps with North Carolina Requirements
Time Savings
Stamp 50 exhibits in 5 minutes vs. 2+ hours applying stickers manually.
Cost Effective
$14.99 Day Pass vs. $100+/hr paralegal time. Stamp unlimited exhibits for one low price.
Court Compliant
North Carolina court-ready formatting. Export with bookmarks for organized filings.
ExhibitPrep Configuration for North Carolina Courts
Recommended Settings
Stamp Format
Use "Exhibit [number]" for plaintiffs or "Exhibit [letter]" for defendants. Include party designation if required by local rules.
Position
Bottom-right corner is standard. Ensure stamps don't obscure document content. Use drag-and-drop positioning to adjust if needed.
Export Format
Combined PDF with bookmarks for court filings. Keep files under 25 MB. Individual files for discovery productions or large exhibit sets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the exhibit requirements for North Carolina courts?
North Carolina courts require exhibits to follow NCGS 1A-1, Rule 26. General discovery provisions including document production. Initial disclosures required under 2023 rule amendments.
What e-filing system does North Carolina use?
North Carolina uses eCourts for electronic filings. North Carolina eCourts system for electronic filing. PDF format required. Rollout completed 2023.
How should plaintiff and defendant exhibits be marked in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, plaintiffs typically use Numbers (1, 2, 3...) while defendants use Letters (A, B, C...). Check local court rules for specific requirements.
What are the exhibit exchange deadlines in North Carolina?
North Carolina requires exhibit exchange 30 days before trial. Exhibit lists typically due 30 days before trial per local rules. Mecklenburg has specific pretrial order requirements.
Are electronically stamped exhibits accepted in North Carolina?
Yes, North Carolina courts accept electronic exhibit stamps that are clearly legible and consistently formatted. ExhibitPrep creates court-ready stamps accepted throughout North Carolina.
What is the maximum file size for North Carolina e-filing?
North Carolina's e-filing system (eCourts) accepts files up to 25 MB. For larger exhibits, split into multiple parts with clear labeling.
Prepare North Carolina Court Exhibits in Minutes
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