The Supreme Court of South Carolina

RE:  Opioid Litigation

A M E N D E D   O R D E R

Pursuant to the provisions of S.C. Const., art. V, §4, I find that assigning a single circuit judge to dispose of all matters arising out of the opioid litigation currently pending and to be filed in the state court system will promote the effective and expeditious disposition of this litigation through uniform rulings and will conserve the resources of the parties, their counsel, and the judiciary.  Therefore,

IT IS ORDERED that the Honorable Perry H. Gravely be vested with exclusive jurisdiction to hear and dispose of all opioid litigation cases.  Judge Gravely shall decide all pretrial motions and other pretrial matters, including appropriate scheduling deadlines and admission of counsel pro hac vice pursuant to Rules 404 & 405, SCACR, arising out of the opioid cases filed in the state court system.  Judge Gravely shall have jurisdiction in all circuits in the state to dispose of all pretrial matters arising out of the opioid litigation and may schedule such hearings as may be necessary at any time without regard as to whether there is a term of court scheduled.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that for administrative purposes and convenience, upon the filing of a new action involving opioid litigation, the clerk of court shall notify Judge Gravely, via email, of such filing within 5 business days.  This notification should include the case caption, including the docket number, as well as the name of the attorney or party signing the pleadings.  Judge Gravely shall then direct the clerk of court as to the preferred method for transmitting the pleadings and additional filings to his office. 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Judge Gravely shall have jurisdiction to issue case management orders directing the consolidation of certain pretrial matters within the opioid litigation.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this is not a consolidation for trial purposes.  At the conclusion of all pretrial matters, any party may move to have trial ready cases transferred to the trial roster of the court of original jurisdiction or the court of appropriate venue for trial.  Judge Gravely shall preside over the trials of all opioid cases.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Columbia, South Carolina
August 23, 2018