(a)        Appeal lies of right directly to the Supreme Court in any of the following cases:

(1)        All cases in which the defendant is convicted of murder in the first degree and the judgment of the superior court includes a sentence of death.

(2)        From any final judgment in a case designated as a mandatory complex business case pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-45.4 or designated as a discretionary complex business case pursuant to Rule 2.1 of the General Rules of Practice for the Superior and District Courts.

(3)        From any interlocutory order of a Business Court Judge that does any of the following:

a.         Affects a substantial right.

b.         In effect determines the action and prevents a judgment from which an appeal might be taken.

c.         Discontinues the action.

d.         Grants or refuses a new trial.

(4)        Any trial court’s decision regarding class action certification under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1A-1, Rule 23.

(5)        Repealed by Session Laws 2021-18, s. 1, effective July 1, 2021, and applicable to appeals filed on or after that date.

(a1)      Repealed by Session Laws 2016-125, s. 22(b), 4th Ex. Sess., effective December 1, 2016.

(b)        Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, appeal lies of right directly to the Court of Appeals in any of the following cases:

(1)        From any final judgment of a superior court, other than one based on a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, including any final judgment entered upon review of a decision of an administrative agency, except for a final judgment entered upon review of a court martial under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 127A-62

(2)        From any final judgment of a district court in a civil action.

(3)        From any interlocutory order or judgment of a superior court or district court in a civil action or proceeding that does any of the following:

a.         Affects a substantial right.

b.         In effect determines the action and prevents a judgment from which an appeal might be taken.

c.         Discontinues the action.

d.         Grants or refuses a new trial.

e.         Determines a claim prosecuted under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-19.1

f.          Grants temporary injunctive relief restraining the State or a political subdivision of the State from enforcing the operation or execution of an act of the General Assembly. This sub-subdivision only applies where the State or a political subdivision of the State is a party in the civil action.

(4)        From any other order or judgment of the superior court from which an appeal is authorized by statute.

(c)        through (e) Repealed by Session Laws 2013-411, s. 1, effective August 23, 2013. ?(1967, c. 108, s. 1; 1971, c. 377, s. 3; 1973, c. 704; 1977, c. 711, s. 4; 1987, c. 679; 1995, c. 204, s. 1; 2010-193, s. 17; 2013-411, s. 1; 2014-100, s. 18B.16(e); 2014-102, s. 1; 2015-264, s. 1(b); 2016-125, 4th Ex. Sess., s. 22(b); 2017-7, s. 2; 2021-18, s. 1.)

Terms Used In North Carolina General Statutes 7A-27

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • following: when used by way of reference to any section of a statute, shall be construed to mean the section next preceding or next following that in which such reference is made; unless when some other section is expressly designated in such reference. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
  • Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories, so called; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the said district and territories and all dependencies. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.