---
title: "Paul Newby | KnowJudges"
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---

# Paul Newby

Supreme Court of North Carolina · Chief Justice

## Profile

- Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina
- State: North Carolina
- Role: Chief Justice
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

Chief Justice Newby first was elected to the Supreme Court as Associate Justice in 2004 and was elevated to the highest judicial office in North Carolina in the 2020 election. In addition to his service on the Court, Chief Justice Newby is an adjunct professor at Campbell University School of Law, where he teaches courses on state constitutional law and appellate practice. He has served as the Court’s liaison to the North Carolina Business Court and the North Carolina Board of Law Examiners. He served as a judicial intern in the United States Supreme Court and interned in the 18th Judicial District Public Defender’s Office (Greensboro/High Point). In 1985, Chief Justice Newby was appointed as an assistant United States attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina in Raleigh, where he served for over 19 years.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### remote proceedings

Scope: statewide

North Carolina law permits judicial officials to conduct proceedings by audio and video transmission, subject to statutory safeguards and case-specific limits.

Evidence excerpt: Judicial officials may conduct proceedings of all types using an audio and video transmission in which the parties, the presiding official, and any other participants can see and hear each other.

[G.S. 7A-49.6. Proceedings conducted by audio and video transmission.](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_7a/GS_7a-49.6.html)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote testimony

Scope: statewide

For North Carolina civil jury proceedings, remote witness testimony requires a record finding of good cause.

Evidence excerpt: In a civil proceeding involving a jury, the court may allow a witness to testify by audio and video transmission only upon finding in the record that good cause exists.

[G.S. 7A-49.6. Proceedings conducted by audio and video transmission.](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_7a/GS_7a-49.6.html)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### approved videoconferencing

Scope: statewide

North Carolina audio/video proceedings must use videoconferencing applications approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Evidence excerpt: All proceedings under this section shall be conducted using videoconferencing applications approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts.

[G.S. 7A-49.6. Proceedings conducted by audio and video transmission.](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_7a/GS_7a-49.6.html)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### official recording

Scope: statewide

North Carolina Judicial Branch guidance distinguishes official court reporters, digital recording technicians, and later transcription of official recordings.

Evidence excerpt: A digital recording technician attends the court proceeding as well and is trained to use special recording equipment and technology to make a recording along with detailed notes of the proceeding.

[Obtaining Court Records](https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/court-records/obtaining-court-records)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### recording availability

Scope: statewide

North Carolina states that not all court proceedings are recorded and identifies when audio recordings may be requested from the clerk.

Evidence excerpt: If the clerk or digital recording technician made an audio recording of the proceeding, you may request a copy of the audio recording from the clerk's office in the county where the case is filed.

[Obtaining Court Records](https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/court-records/obtaining-court-records)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/paul-newby)
- [Official roster](https://www.nccourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/biographies-and-seating-chart)
- [North Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.nccourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/biographies-and-seating-chart)
- [G.S. 7A-49.6. Proceedings conducted by audio and video transmission.](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_7a/GS_7a-49.6.html)
- [Obtaining Court Records](https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/court-records/obtaining-court-records)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Paul Martin Newby is the 30th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina, elected in 2020 after serving as an Associate Justice since 2004
- Chief Justice: Elected in 2020, succeeding Cheri Beasley As Chief Justice, he leads the Judicial Branch, which includes over 7,600 elected officials and employees, and is responsible for ensuring the administration of justice without bias or delay
- Associate Justice: Elected in 2004 to fill a vacancy, serving until 2020
- He chairs the Commission on Professionalism and the North Carolina Equal Access to Justice Commission, and frequently engages in civic education across the state
- He also serves as a judge in moot court and mock trial events, and speaks internationally on the rule of law
- Newby is an adjunct professor at Campbell University School of Law, teaching state constitutional law and appellate practice

### Education

- B.A. in Public Policy Studies from Duke University in 1977 and a J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1980.

### Additional information

- Under Newby’s leadership, the NC Supreme Court has taken significant steps, including a 2023 decision to rehear and overturn a prior ruling banning partisan gerrymandering, a move widely seen as politically charged
- Born May 5, 1955, Asheboro, North Carolina.
- After private practice in Kannapolis and corporate legal work, Newby served almost 20 years as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
- His legal experience includes work in undercover operations, notably in recovering North Carolina’s original Bill of Rights after the Civil War
- He is an Eagle Scout and former Scoutmaster, and has been active in his evangelical faith
- He co-authored The North Carolina State Constitution with History and Commentary.
- He has received multiple honors, including the Citizen Lawyer Award from the NC Bar Association and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Southern Wesleyan University

