NC H376

Modernizes expert witness discovery rules in North Carolina civil procedure by replacing interrogatory-only requirements with options for detailed written reports signed by retained experts or their employees regularly providing testimony.

Written expert reports must include complete opinions, basis and reasoning, facts or data considered, supporting exhibits, witness qualifications with 10-year publication list, expert testimony from previous 4 years, and compensation statement.

Establishes expert witness deposition rights after written reports or interrogatory responses are provided, with party seeking discovery paying expert's reasonable deposition fee unless manifest injustice would result.

Protects draft expert reports and attorney-expert communications from disclosure, with exceptions only for communications about compensation, facts/data provided by attorney, and assumptions the expert relied upon.

Requires expert disclosure at least 90 days before trial or within 30 days of opposing party's disclosure for rebuttal testimony, with court authority to bar trial presentation for untimely disclosure; effective October 1, 2015 for actions commenced after that date.