• Blog Post

    FRAUD CLAIMS AND THE RULE 9 HEIGHTENED PLEADING STANDARD

      What is Fraud?   Fraud is broadly defined as an intentional misrepresentation or concealment of material fact made with intention and calculation to deceive, causing the other party to be deceived and, as a result, harmed.   Elements   In North Carolina, a civil claim of fraud has five essential elements. A false representation or concealment of material fact; Reasonably calculated to deceive; Made with the intent to deceive; Which does in fact deceive; and Resulting in damages to the party deceived.   Rule 9   North Carolina is generally a notice pleading jurisdiction – if a Defendant is “on notice” of the facts in a complaint, and the…

  • Blog Post

    Playing by the (New) Rules in the North Carolina Business Court: Part 2

    The North Carolina Business Court’s new Rules went into effect January 1, 2017 and apply to every civil action designated as a mandatory complex business case or assigned to a Business Court judge, regardless of whether it was filed prior to the Rules’ effective date. They are meant to supplement, rather than supplant, the Rules of Civil Procedure and General Rules of Practice, but if there is a conflict with local rules or standing orders from the county of venue, the Business Court’s Rules will govern.   Part 1 of this topic addressed the changes in Notices of Designation, filing, electronic filing technology problems, motions practice, and emergency motions. For…