Court of Appeals Visit Brings Appellate Practice to Life for Students 

North Carolina Court of Appeals judges brought the appellate courtroom directly to Carolina Law on Wednesday, hearing two cases that gave students, including visiting exchange students from the University of Tübingen, a rare inside look at appellate advocacy in action. 

The Court considered a constitutional challenge to North Carolina’s medical malpractice damages cap, where attorneys debated whether reducing a $7.5 million jury award to approximately $650,000 violates the right to a jury trial. This case revealed the tension between legislative policy and constitutional protections, giving students insight into how attorneys craft constitutional arguments. 

In the second case, an appeal from an assault conviction, the Court examined issues including the use of hands and feet as deadly weapons, evidence of intent to kill, the admissibility of prior convictions, and proper jury instructions when a jury reports being deadlocked. Students watched how counsel balanced multiple legal arguments under active questioning from the bench. 

During both proceedings, the judges pressed the attorneys with pointed questions about legal standards, facts in the record, and preservation of error. This interactive process revealed the critical thinking and adaptability required in appellate practice—skills that come alive in the courtroom rather than within textbook pages. 

Following the oral arguments, the judges and attorneys participated in a Q&A session where students asked questions about the appellate process, preparation for oral arguments, and the judges’ deliberation process. This rare opportunity allowed students to gain insights into aspects of appellate practice not visible during the formal proceedings. 

A reception followed, providing particularly valuable comparative law experience for the Tübingen exchange students who could discuss differences between German and American legal systems while witnessing these differences in practice.