# N.C. R. Civ. P. 10: Rule 10. Form of pleadings

> North Carolina · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R10

## Section

- **Citation:** N.C. R. Civ. P. 10
- **Heading:** Rule 10. Form of pleadings
- **Jurisdiction:** North Carolina
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** North Carolina Court Rules / North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure / N.C. R. Civ. P. 10

## Text

(a) Caption; names of parties. - Every pleading shall contain a caption setting forth the division of the court in which the action is filed, the title of the action, and a designation as in Rule 7(a). In the complaint the title of the action shall include the names of all the parties, but in other pleadings it is sufficient to state the name of the first party on each side with an appropriate indication of other parties.
(b) Paragraphs; separate statement. - All averments of claim or defense shall be made in numbered paragraphs, the contents of each of which be limited as far as practicable to a statement of a single set of circumstances; and a paragraph may be referred to by number in all succeeding pleadings. Each claim founded upon a separate transaction or occurrence and each defense other than denials shall be stated in a separate count or defense whenever a separation facilitates the clear presentation of the matters set forth.
(c) Adoption by reference; exhibits. - Statements in a pleading may be adopted by reference in a different part of the same pleading or in another pleading or in any motion in the action. A copy of any written instrument which is an exhibit to a pleading is a part thereof for all purposes. (1967, c. 954, s. 1.)

## Nearby sections

- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 1 Rule 1. Scope of rules](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R1.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 2 Rule 2. One form of action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R2.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 3 Rule 3. Commencement of action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R3.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 4 Rule 4. Process](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R4.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 5 Rule 5. Service and filing of pleadings and other papers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R5.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 6 Rule 6. Time](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R6.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 7 Rule 7. Pleadings allowed; motions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R7.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 8 Rule 8. General rules of pleadings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R8.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 9 Rule 9. Pleading special matters](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R9.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 10 Rule 10. Form of pleadings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R10.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 11 Rule 11. Signing and verification of pleadings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R11.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 12 Rule 12. Defenses and objections; when and how presented; by pleading or motion; motion for judgment on pleading](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R12.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 13 Rule 13. Counterclaim and crossclaim](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R13.md)
- [N.C. R. Civ. P. 14 Rule 14. Third-party practice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R14.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRCP_R10. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.