Court Opinion

ID: 9561120
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 18:03:42.497251+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:13:38.206172
License: Public Domain

Bobbitt, J.,
concurring: In my view, G.S. 8-53 confers upon a superior court judge discretionary authority to compel a doctor to disclose the confidential information referred to therein only in a trial or hearing conducted by such superior court judge. Hence, I agree Judge Mintz had no authority to order such disclosure by a doctor at a deposition hearing. I reserve the question, not presented for decision on this appeal, as to whether a superior court judge, when conducting a custody hearing, either at term or in chambers, is a presiding judge within the meaning of G.S. 8-53. In such case, the superior court judge has sole responsibility and authority for decision. Subject to this reservation, I concur.