Newby is the first chief justice to visit all of North Carolina’s courthouses. The first phase of the tour began in the far-western counties: Cherokee, Graham, Clay, Macon, and Swain. The phase also includes Jackson, Haywood, Transylvania, Henderson, Polk, and Rutherford counties as well as the Cherokee tribal court. The tour began in Murphy and will end in Manteo. At each courthouse, Newby will greet judges and courthouse personnel to express his appreciation for their commitment and dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism is presenting professional programs during some of the phases of the tour.

“Our judges and courthouse personnel are the battle-tested heroes of the past year. They came to work, day-in and day-out, facing real and often undefined dangers to fulfill the ‘open courts' mandate of the North Carolina Constitution,” Chief Justice Newby said. “Our courthouse stakeholders are doing their best to ensure that justice is administered without favor, denial or delay. Our state needs these dedicated public servants now more than ever to help address the large backlog of cases left in the wake of this pandemic.”

After completing the far western phase of the tour, Chief Justice Newby will soon visit other courthouses spanning the mountains, foothills, piedmont, sandhills, and eastern North Carolina. The tour is planned to be completed within the next two years. The timeline and details of each visit will be announced as they become available.