The notice must comply with Rule 4 of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure and must be published once a week for a period of three consecutive weeks. The words "service" or "serving" are legal terms that mean delivering the court papers to the. Defendant.You CANNOT hand deliver the papers. INTRODUCTION. This guide explains the basic steps and practice tips in filing a civil lawsuit in North. Carolina state court. This document is a collection of links to fillable forms that are available on NC Administrative Office of the Courts or AOC. This document is a collection of links to fillable forms that are available on NC Administrative Office of the Courts or AOC. You should also state the reasons why you disagree with the assessment. Certificate of Service. The tenant must fill out and sign the Certificate of Service section on the back of the Notice of Appeal form.