N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-567.38: Arbitration agreement and substantive claim before court.

(a) When a party to an international commercial arbitration agreement commences judicial proceedings seeking relief with respect to a matter covered by the agreement to arbitrate, any other party to the agreement may apply to the court for an order to stay the proceedings and compel arbitration.

(b) Arbitration proceedings may begin or continue, and an award may be made, while an action described in subsection (a) is pending before the court. (1991, c. 292, s. 1; 2017-171, s. 1.)