84-2.1. "Practice law" defined.
(a) The phrase "practice law" as used in this Chapter is defined to be performing any legal service for any other person, firm or corporation, with or without compensation, specifically including the preparation or aiding in the preparation of deeds, mortgages, wills, trust instruments, inventories, accounts or reports of guardians, trustees, administrators or executors, or preparing or aiding in the preparation of any petitions or orders in any probate or court proceeding; abstracting or passing upon titles, the preparation and filing of petitions for use in any court, including administrative tribunals and other judicial or quasi-judicial bodies, or assisting by advice, counsel, or otherwise in any legal work; and to advise or give opinion upon the legal rights of any person, firm or corporation: Provided, that the above reference to particular acts which are specifically included within the definition of the phrase "practice law" shall not be construed to limit the foregoing general definition of the term, but shall be construed to include the foregoing particular acts, as well as all other acts within the general definition.
(b) The phrase "practice law" does not encompass:
(1) The drafting or writing of memoranda of understanding or other mediation summaries by mediators at community mediation centers authorized by G.S. 7A-38.5 or by mediators of employment-related matters for The University of North Carolina or a constituent institution, or for an agency, commission, or board of the State of North Carolina.
(2) The selection or completion of a preprinted form by a real estate broker licensed under Chapter 93A of the General Statutes, when the broker is acting as an agent in a real estate transaction and in accordance with rules adopted by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission, or the selection or completion of a preprinted residential lease agreement by any person or Web site provider. Nothing in this subdivision or in G.S. 84-2.2 shall be construed to permit any person or Web site provider who is not licensed to practice law in accordance with this Chapter to prepare for any third person any contract or deed conveying any interest in real property, or to abstract or pass upon title to any real property, which is located in this State.
(3) The completion of or assisting a consumer in the completion of various agreements, contracts, forms, and other documents related to the sale or lease of a motor vehicle as defined in G.S. 20-286(10), or of products or services ancillary or related to the sale or lease of a motor vehicle, by a motor vehicle dealer licensed under Article 12 of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes. (C.C.P., s. 424; 1870-1, c. 90; 1871-2, c. 120; 1880, c. 43; 1883, c. 406; Code, ss. 27, 28, 110; Rev., ss. 210, 3641; 1919, c. 205; C.S., s. 198; 1933, c. 15; 1941, c. 177; 1943, c. 543; 1945, c. 468; 1995, c. 431, s. 3; 1999-354, s. 2; 2004-154, s. 2; 2013-410, s. 32; 2016-60, s. 1.)
Structure North Carolina General Statutes
North Carolina General Statutes
Article 1 - Qualifications of Attorney; Unauthorized Practice of Law.
§ 84-1 - Oaths taken in open court.
§ 84-2 - Persons disqualified.
§ 84-2.1 - "Practice law" defined.
§ 84-2.2 - Exemption and additional requirements for Web site providers.
§ 84-4 - Persons other than members of State Bar prohibited from practicing law.
§ 84-4.1 - Limited practice of out-of-state attorneys.
§ 84-4.2 - Summary revocation of permission granted out-of-state attorneys to practice.
§ 84-5 - Prohibition as to practice of law by corporation.
§ 84-5.1 - Rendering of legal services by certain nonprofit corporations.
§ 84-6 - Exacting fee for conducting foreclosures prohibited to all except licensed attorneys.
§ 84-7 - District attorneys, upon application, to bring injunction or criminal proceedings.
§ 84-7.1 - Legal clinics of law schools and certain law students and lawyers excepted.
§ 84-8 - Punishment for violations.
§ 84-10.1 - Private cause of action for the unauthorized practice of law.