N.C. R. Prac. Super. & Dist. Ct. 12.7
All arbitration hearings shall be conducted within one hour and in accordance with Supreme Court rules. Arbitration will use A0C-CV-8O3 to complete the Award. If no request for trial de novo is made within thirty days, then a District Court Judge shall enter judgment in accordance with the arbitrator's decision. In the event a party requests a trial de novo, the Arbitration coordinator will use the form AOC-CV-804, the first party making such request shall pay $100 to perfect his request for trial de novo. That fee may be returned only if the case is tried to verdict and the trial judge finds requesting party's position improved and orders the return of the $100. If there is a trial de novo, the trial judge may include the costs incurred in the arbitration, but the trial judge may deny the costs to a party who prevails at trial but did not improve his position.
N.C. R. Prac. Sup. & Dist. Ct. Civ. P. 12.7