N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-298
It shall be the duty of the Attorney General to represent all departments, institutions, and agencies of the State in connection with claims asserted against them and to attend all hearings in connection therewith where the amount of the claim, in the opinion of the Attorney General, is of sufficient import to require and justify such appearance. In the event the amount appropriated to the Attorney General's office for travel and subsistence is insufficient to take care of the additional expense incident to attending these hearings, the Governor and Council of State are authorized to pay such additional travel expenses from the Contingency and Emergency Fund.
Subpoenas for any purpose authorized by G.S. 1A-1, Rule 45 may be issued by an Attorney of Record for either party in all proceedings under the State Tort Claims Act and served by the means specified in the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure or served by registered or certified mail, and service shall be proved by filing of the return receipt.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-298