After receiving the arbitration ruling, I filed my Notice of Appeal and moved the case to district court by filing a Demand for Trial de Novo on December 16, 2024. Along with it, I filed an Amended Complaint. The core of the complaint stayed largely the same, continuing to allege breach of contract and unfair and deceptive trade practices.
The only major change was the addition of a third claim for defamation, based on Anna’s false statements that damaged my reputation and ability to secure housing.
An excerpt from the explanatory statement in my Notice of Appeal reads:
“The amendments include refinements to Plaintiff’s claims for breach of contract and unfair and deceptive trade practices and the addition of a new claim for defamation… arising out of the same transactions, occurrences, and facts described in the original complaint.”
Things to Learn for District Court
- NC Rules of Civil Procedure
- NC Rules of Evidence
- Local District Court Rules – you can find these under your county court
- General Rules of Practice for the Superior and District Courts