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NC General Statutes

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 62-94 (2026)

Record on appeal; extent of review

✓ current as of July 2026
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(a) On appeal the court shall review the record and the issues raised in accordance with the rules of appellate procedure, and any alleged irregularities in procedures before the Commission, not shown in the record, shall be considered under the rules of appellate procedure.

(b) So far as necessary to the decision and where presented, the court shall decide all relevant questions of law, interpret constitutional and statutory provisions, and determine the meaning and applicability of the terms of any Commission action. The court may affirm or reverse the decision of the Commission, declare the decision null and void, or remand the case for further proceedings; or it may reverse or modify the decision if the substantial rights of the appellants have been prejudiced because the Commission's findings, inferences, conclusions, or decisions are any of the following:

(1) In violation of constitutional provisions.

(2) In excess of statutory authority or jurisdiction of the Commission.

(3) Made upon unlawful proceedings.

(4) Affected by other errors of law.

(5) Unsupported by competent, material, and substantial evidence in view of the entire record as submitted.

(6) Arbitrary or capricious.

(c) In making these determinations, the court shall review the whole record or the portions of it that are cited by any party, and due account shall be taken of the rule of prejudicial error. The appellant shall not be permitted to rely upon any grounds for relief on appeal that were not set forth specifically in the appellant's notice of appeal filed with the Commission.

(d) The court shall also compel action of the Commission unlawfully withheld or unlawfully or unreasonably delayed.

(e) Upon any appeal, the rates fixed or any rule, finding, determination, or order made by the Commission under this Chapter is prima facie just and reasonable. (1949, c. 989, s. 1; 1955, c. 1207, s. 3; 1963, c. 1165, s. 1; 1969, c. 614; 1975, c. 391, s. 14; 2023-54, s. 10.)

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 140 cases (11 in the last 5 years), 1966–2026 · leading case: State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Pub. Staff-North Carolina Utils. Comm'n, 374 S.E.2d 361 (N.C. 1988).
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State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Pub. Staff-North Carolina Utils. Comm'n, 374 S.E.2d 361 (N.C. 1988). · cites it 42× “N.C.G.S. § 62-94 prescribes the scope of appellate review of a decision by the Commission.”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Bird Oil Co., 273 S.E.2d 232 (N.C. 1981). · cites it 18× “G.S. 62-94 is controlling. That section provides, inter alia, that the reviewing court may (1) affirm, (2) reverse, (3) declare null and void, (4) modify, or (5) remand for further proceedings, decisions of the Commission.”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Pub. Staff, 343 S.E.2d 898 (N.C. 1986). · cites it 29× “The scope of our review of an order of the Utilities Commission is clearly provided in N.C.G.S. § 62-94. We are expressly authorized to affirm or reverse the decision of the Commission, or remand the case for further proceedings, if the Commission's findings or conclusions are,…”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Duke Power Co., 287 S.E.2d 786 (N.C. 1982). · cites it 14× “" In order to determine whether the decision of the Court of Appeals is proper, this Court must determine which of the listed criteria the Court of Appeals should have addressed and whether that court addressed those criteria in its review of the proceedings and order of the…”
State ex rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Att'y Gen., 739 S.E.2d 541 (N.C. 2013). · cites it 14× “N.C.G.S. § 62-94(b) (2011). This Court has summarized its role pursuant to subsection 62-94(b) as follows: This Court’s role under section 62-94(b) is not to determine whether there is evidence to support a position the Commission did not adopt.”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Gen. Tel. Co. of the Se., 189 S.E.2d 705 (N.C. 1972). · cites it 12× “Upon appeal, the authority of the reviewing court, whether the Court of Appeals or this Court, to reverse or modify the order of the Commission, or to remand the matter to the Commission for further proceedings, is limited to that specified in G.S. § 62-94, which includes the…”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Pub. Staff-North Carolina Utils. Comm'n, 529 PA 82 (N.C. 1983). · cites it 8× “On appeal, the authority of the reviewing court, whether the Court of Appeals or this Court, to reverse or modify the order of the Commission, or to remand the matter to the Commission for further proceedings, is limited to that specified in G.S. § 62-94. Utilities Commission v.…”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. MacKie, 338 S.E.2d 888 (N.C. Ct. App. 1986). · cites it 14× “I The scope of judicial review of a decision of the Utilities Commission is delineated by G.S. 62-94. According to G.S. 62-94(b), this Court may reverse or modify a decision of the Utilities Commission only when [T]he substantial rights of the appellants have been prejudiced…”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Carolina Util. Customers Ass'n, 372 S.E.2d 692 (N.C. 1988). · cites it 12× “may reverse or modify the decision if the substantial rights of the appellants have been prejudiced because the Commission's findings, inferences, conclusions or decisions are: (1) In violation of constitutional provisions, or (2) In excess of statutory authority or jurisdiction…”
State of NC ex rel. Utils. Comm'n v. N.C. Waste Awareness & Reduction Network, 805 S.E.2d 712 (N.C. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 6× “N.C.G.S. § 62-94(b) (2015) (“[T]he court shall decide all relevant questions of law [and] interpret constitutional and statutory provisions.”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Conservation Council, 320 S.E.2d 679 (N.C. 1984). · cites it 8× “However, Duke argues that G.S. § 62-94 which sets out the extent of appellate review prevents this Court from ordering refunds because it does not specifically grant such authority.”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Intervenor Residents of Bent Creek/Mt. Carmel Subdivisions, 286 S.E.2d 770 (N.C. 1982). · cites it 10× “On appeal, the authority of the reviewing court, whether the Court of Appeals or this Court, to reverse or modify the Order of the Commission, or to remand the matter to the Commission for further proceedings, is limited to that specified in G.”
Show all 140 citing cases →
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 62-94(b) — 49 cases
State ex rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Att'y Gen., 739 S.E.2d 541 (N.C. 2013). “N.C.G.S. § 62-94(b) (2011). This Court has summarized its role pursuant to subsection 62-94(b) as follows: This Court’s role under section 62-94(b) is not to determine whether there is evidence to support a position the Commission did not adopt.”
State of NC ex rel. Utils. Comm'n v. N.C. Waste Awareness & Reduction Network, 805 S.E.2d 712 (N.C. Ct. App. 2017). “N.C.G.S. § 62-94(b) (2015) (“[T]he court shall decide all relevant questions of law [and] interpret constitutional and statutory provisions.”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Bird Oil Co., 273 S.E.2d 232 (N.C. 1981). “G.S. 62-94 is controlling. That section provides, inter alia, that the reviewing court may (1) affirm, (2) reverse, (3) declare null and void, (4) modify, or (5) remand for further proceedings, decisions of the Commission.”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Pub. Staff-North Carolina Utils. Comm'n, 374 S.E.2d 361 (N.C. 1988). “N.C.G.S. § 62-94 prescribes the scope of appellate review of a decision by the Commission.”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Duke Power Co., 287 S.E.2d 786 (N.C. 1982). “" In order to determine whether the decision of the Court of Appeals is proper, this Court must determine which of the listed criteria the Court of Appeals should have addressed and whether that court addressed those criteria in its review of the proceedings and order of the…”
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 62-94(b)(2) — 11 cases
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. TOWN OF KILL DEVIL HILLS, 670 S.E.2d 341 (N.C. Ct. App. 2009).
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Pub. Staff-North Carolina Utils. Comm'n, 529 PA 82 (N.C. 1983). “On appeal, the authority of the reviewing court, whether the Court of Appeals or this Court, to reverse or modify the order of the Commission, or to remand the matter to the Commission for further proceedings, is limited to that specified in G.S. § 62-94. Utilities Commission v.…”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Thrifty Call, Inc., 571 S.E.2d 622 (N.C. Ct. App. 2002).
State ex rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Cooper, 758 S.E.2d 635 (N.C. 2014).
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Edmisten, 230 S.E.2d 651 (N.C. 1976).
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 62-94(b)(4) — 20 cases
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Pub. Staff, 343 S.E.2d 898 (N.C. 1986). “The scope of our review of an order of the Utilities Commission is clearly provided in N.C.G.S. § 62-94. We are expressly authorized to affirm or reverse the decision of the Commission, or remand the case for further proceedings, if the Commission's findings or conclusions are,…”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Pub. Staff-North Carolina Utils. Comm'n, 374 S.E.2d 361 (N.C. 1988). “N.C.G.S. § 62-94 prescribes the scope of appellate review of a decision by the Commission.”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Conservation Council, 320 S.E.2d 679 (N.C. 1984). “However, Duke argues that G.S. § 62-94 which sets out the extent of appellate review prevents this Court from ordering refunds because it does not specifically grant such authority.”
State ex rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Att'y Gen., 739 S.E.2d 541 (N.C. 2013). “N.C.G.S. § 62-94(b) (2011). This Court has summarized its role pursuant to subsection 62-94(b) as follows: This Court’s role under section 62-94(b) is not to determine whether there is evidence to support a position the Commission did not adopt.”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Carolina Water Serv., Inc., 439 S.E.2d 127 (N.C. 1994).
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 62-94(b)(5) — 26 cases
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Pub. Staff-North Carolina Utils. Comm'n, 374 S.E.2d 361 (N.C. 1988). “N.C.G.S. § 62-94 prescribes the scope of appellate review of a decision by the Commission.”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Pub. Staff, 415 S.E.2d 354 (N.C. 1992).
In Matter of Rogers, 253 S.E.2d 912 (N.C. 1979).
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Carolina Water Serv., Inc., 439 S.E.2d 127 (N.C. 1994).
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Intervenor Residents of Bent Creek/Mt. Carmel Subdivisions, 286 S.E.2d 770 (N.C. 1982). “On appeal, the authority of the reviewing court, whether the Court of Appeals or this Court, to reverse or modify the Order of the Commission, or to remand the matter to the Commission for further proceedings, is limited to that specified in G.”
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 62-94(b)(6) — 12 cases
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Piedmont Nat. Gas Co., 488 S.E.2d 591 (N.C. 1997).
Dennis v. Duke Power Co., 459 S.E.2d 707 (N.C. 1995).
State ex rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Carolina Util. Customers Ass'n, 399 S.E.2d 98 (N.C. 1991).
State ex rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Pub. Staff-North Carolina Utils. Comm'n, 370 S.E.2d 567 (N.C. 1988).
State v. Pub. Staff-nc Util. Com'n, 370 S.E.2d 567 (N.C. 1988).
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 62-94(c) — 16 cases
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Bird Oil Co., 273 S.E.2d 232 (N.C. 1981). “G.S. 62-94 is controlling. That section provides, inter alia, that the reviewing court may (1) affirm, (2) reverse, (3) declare null and void, (4) modify, or (5) remand for further proceedings, decisions of the Commission.”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. MacKie, 338 S.E.2d 888 (N.C. Ct. App. 1986). “I The scope of judicial review of a decision of the Utilities Commission is delineated by G.S. 62-94. According to G.S. 62-94(b), this Court may reverse or modify a decision of the Utilities Commission only when [T]he substantial rights of the appellants have been prejudiced…”
In re Petition of Utils., Inc., 555 S.E.2d 333 (N.C. Ct. App. 2001).
Dennis v. Duke Power Co., 459 S.E.2d 707 (N.C. 1995).
State ex rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Edmisten, 242 S.E.2d 862 (N.C. 1978).
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 62-94(c)(2) — 1 case
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Duke Power Co., 287 S.E.2d 786 (N.C. 1982). “" In order to determine whether the decision of the Court of Appeals is proper, this Court must determine which of the listed criteria the Court of Appeals should have addressed and whether that court addressed those criteria in its review of the proceedings and order of the…”
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 62-94(e) — 37 cases
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Bird Oil Co., 273 S.E.2d 232 (N.C. 1981). “G.S. 62-94 is controlling. That section provides, inter alia, that the reviewing court may (1) affirm, (2) reverse, (3) declare null and void, (4) modify, or (5) remand for further proceedings, decisions of the Commission.”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Pub. Staff-North Carolina Utils. Comm'n, 374 S.E.2d 361 (N.C. 1988). “N.C.G.S. § 62-94 prescribes the scope of appellate review of a decision by the Commission.”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Duke Power Co., 287 S.E.2d 786 (N.C. 1982). “" In order to determine whether the decision of the Court of Appeals is proper, this Court must determine which of the listed criteria the Court of Appeals should have addressed and whether that court addressed those criteria in its review of the proceedings and order of the…”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. Pub. Staff-North Carolina Utils. Comm'n, 529 PA 82 (N.C. 1983). “On appeal, the authority of the reviewing court, whether the Court of Appeals or this Court, to reverse or modify the order of the Commission, or to remand the matter to the Commission for further proceedings, is limited to that specified in G.S. § 62-94. Utilities Commission v.…”
State Ex Rel. Utils. Comm'n v. S. Bell Tel. & Tel. Co., 299 S.E.2d 763 (N.C. 1983).
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