The Supreme Court of South Carolina
In re: Proposed Amendment to Rule 408(a)(2), SCACR.
Appellate Case No. 2014-001119
ORDER
The South Carolina Bar has proposed amending Rule 408(a)(2) of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules to include instruction in stress management as an additional option to the requirement that members of the South Carolina Bar who are not exempt receive instruction once every three years in substance abuse or mental health issues.
Pursuant to Article V, § 4, of the South Carolina Constitution, we hereby amend Rule 408(a)(2), SCACR, as requested by the South Carolina Bar. Paragraph (A) of the rule is also amended to include the stress management option for specialists certified pursuant to the rule.
This amendment shall become effective immediately. A copy of the amended rule is attached.
s/Jean H. Toal C.J. s/Costa M. Pleicones J. s/Donald W. Beatty J. s/John W. Kittredge J. s/Kaye G. Hearn J. |
Columbia, South Carolina
July 23, 2014
(2) Continuing Legal Education Requirements for Members of the South Carolina Bar. Except as provided below, all members of the South Carolina Bar shall be required to attend at least fourteen (14) hours of approved CLE courses each reporting year. At least two (2) of the fourteen (14) hours required annually shall be devoted to legal ethics/professional responsibility (LEPR). At least once every three (3) reporting years, the member must complete one (1) hour of LEPR devoted exclusively to instruction in substance abuse, mental health issues or stress management and the legal profession. The following members of the South Carolina Bar shall be exempt from these requirements:
(A) specialists certified pursuant to this Rule who satisfy the CLE requirements of their specialty; provided, however, that at least two (2) hours of the CLE credits completed by certified specialists shall be devoted to LEPR. At least once every three (3) reporting years, the member must complete one (1) hour of LEPR devoted exclusively to instruction in substance abuse, mental health issues or stress management and the legal profession.
(B) members who are at least sixty (60) years old and have been admitted to practice law for thirty (30) or more years, and who apply to the Commission for this exemption. Further, any exemptions granted prior to June 23, 1994, shall remain in effect. Provided, however, that if a member who receives an exemption or is entitled to an exemption under this provision is suspended for a definite period of more than six (6) months under Rule 413, SCACR, this exemption shall not apply or be granted during the suspension period;
(C) inactive members, military members, and retired members.
(D) judicial members who are subject to the CLE requirements of Rule 504, SCACR.
(E) members who are federal judges or federal administrative law judges.
(F) limited members licensed under Rule 415, SCACR (Limited Certificate of Admission for Retired and Inactive Attorney Pro Bono Participation Program).