# N.C. R. Evid. 301: Rule 301. Presumptions in general in civil actions and proceedings

> North Carolina · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRE_R301

## Section

- **Citation:** N.C. R. Evid. 301
- **Heading:** Rule 301. Presumptions in general in civil actions and proceedings
- **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 Evidence / N.C. R. Evid. 301

## Text

In all civil actions and proceedings when not otherwise provided for by statute, by judicial decision, or by these rules, a presumption imposes on the party against whom it is directed the burden of going forward with evidence to rebut or meet the presumption, but does not shift to such party the burden of proof in the sense of the risk of nonpersuasion, which remains throughout the trial upon the party on whom it was originally cast. The burden of going forward is satisfied by the introduction of evidence sufficient to permit reasonable minds to conclude that the presumed fact does not exist. If the party against whom a presumption operates fails to meet the burden of producing evidence, the presumed fact shall be deemed proved, and the court shall instruct the jury accordingly. When the burden of producing evidence to meet a presumption is satisfied, the court must instruct the jury that it may, but is not required to, infer the existence of the presumed fact from the proved fact. (1983, c. 701, s. 1.)

## Nearby sections

- [N.C. R. Evid. 101 Rule 101. Scope](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRE_R101.md)
- [N.C. R. Evid. 102 Rule 102. Purpose and construction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRE_R102.md)
- [N.C. R. Evid. 103 Rule 103. Rulings on evidence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRE_R103.md)
- [N.C. R. Evid. 104 Rule 104. Preliminary questions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRE_R104.md)
- [N.C. R. Evid. 105 Rule 105. Limited admissibility](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRE_R105.md)
- [N.C. R. Evid. 106 Rule 106. Remainder of or related writings or recorded statements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRE_R106.md)
- [N.C. R. Evid. 201 Rule 201. Judicial notice of adjudicative facts](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRE_R201.md)
- [N.C. R. Evid. 301 Rule 301. Presumptions in general in civil actions and proceedings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRE_R301.md)
- [N.C. R. Evid. 302 Rule 302. Applicability of federal law in civil actions and proceedings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRE_R302.md)
- [N.C. R. Evid. 401 Rule 401. Definition of "relevant evidence."](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRE_R401.md)
- [N.C. R. Evid. 402 Rule 402. Relevant evidence generally admissible; irrelevant evidence inadmissible](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRE_R402.md)
- [N.C. R. Evid. 403 Rule 403. Exclusion of relevant evidence on grounds of prejudice, confusion, or waste of time](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRE_R403.md)
- [N.C. R. Evid. 404 Rule 404. Character evidence not admissible to prove conduct; exceptions; other crimes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRE_R404.md)
- [N.C. R. Evid. 405 Rule 405. Methods of proving character](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRE_R405.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_NC_NCRE_R301. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.