Looking for local rules and forms? INTRODUCTION. This guide explains the basic steps and practice tips in filing a civil lawsuit in North.Carolina state court. Pleadings and motions can be used to benefit your civil litigation case in North Carolina. Most have specific deadlines or timelines. When filling out the address information use the most frequent address. If there are multiple attorneys representing a party add those attorneys. If the court grants a motion for a more definite statement, the responsive pleading shall be served within 20 days after service of the more definite statement. Amount or different in kind from that sought in the pleading of the opposing party. (d). Counterclaim against the State of North Carolina.