§ 8-56. Husband and wife as witnesses in civil action. - North Carolina Statutes

§8‑56.  Husband and wife as witnesses in civil action.

In any trial or inquiry in anysuit, action or proceeding in any court, or before any person having, by law orconsent of parties, authority to examine witnesses or hear evidence, thehusband or wife of any party thereto, or of any person in whose behalf any suchsuit, action or proceeding is brought, prosecuted, opposed or defended, shall,except as herein stated, be competent and compellable to give evidence, as anyother witness on behalf of any party to such suit, action or proceeding. Nohusband or wife shall be compellable to disclose any confidential communicationmade by one to the other during their marriage. (1866, c. 43, ss. 3, 4;C.C.P., s. 341; Code, s. 588; Rev., s. 1636; 1919, c. 18; C.S., s. 1801; 1945,c. 635; 1977, c. 547; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1037, s. 3.)