Court Is Limited and Mass Gatherings Are Prohibited to Limit Spread of COVID-19

On Friday, Chief Justice Cheri Beasley entered two emergency directives to reduce the spread of infection from COVID-19. On Saturday, Governor Roy Cooper entered an executive order prohibiting mass gatherings and ordering the statewide closure of public schools. Emergency Directives from the Chief Justice. Legal authority. Upon determining and declaring that catastrophic conditions exist in one or more counties of the state, the Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court may issue emergency directives necessary to ensure the continuing operation of essential trial or appellate court functions. G.S. 7A-39(b)(2). An emergency order entered pursuant to this provision expires thirty days from the issuance of the order or at a sooner date specified in the order. Such an order may be extended for additional 30-day periods if the Chief Justice determines that the directives remain necessary. The order. On Friday, March 13, 2020, Chief Justice Cheri Beasley determined and declared that catastrophic conditions resulting from the public health threat posed by COVID-19 existed in all counties of this state. While stating that superior and district courts remain open, the Chief Justice issued two emergency directives effective today, Monday, March 16, 2020, that she deemed necessary to reduce the spread of infection. Court proceedings must be continued for at least 30 days unless an exception applies. First, the Chief Justice ordered that superior court and district court proceedings be scheduled or rescheduled for a date no sooner than 30 days from the issuance of the order, unless: the proceeding will be conducted [...]