Due to a recently discovered technical problem in the E-Filing System, orders signed and submitted by attorneys serving as special referees may NOT be E-Filed, but should be submitted by the special referee using a Traditional filing method, such as (1) submitting documents to the clerk of court directly or mailing the documents to the clerk; or (2) with advance permission of the clerk of court, via email.  The Judicial Department is working on a technical solution that will solve the problem and allow special referees to E-File signed orders. 

Attorneys who are special referees should continue to E-File in cases where they are counsel for a party. 

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2016-09-07-01

The Supreme Court of South Carolina

Re: Electronic Filing Pilot Program - Special Referees

Appellate Case No. 2015-002439

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AMENDED ORDER

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Pursuant to the provisions of Article V, Section 4 of the South Carolina Constitution,

IT IS ORDERED that, until further notice, attorneys acting as special referees shall not Electronically File (E-File) signed orders in cases where they are acting as special referees.  Special referees must submit documents for filing by (1) utilizing a Traditional Filing method, such as submitting signed orders to the clerk of court directly or mailing signed orders to the clerk; or (2) with advance permission of a clerk of court, by emailing signed orders to the clerk of court. 

This Order does not excuse attorneys who serve as special referees from mandatory E-Filing in cases where they are counsel for a party.  This Order modifies a previous Order dated January 15, 2016, and is effective immediately.

s/Costa M. Pleicones                 Costa M. Pleicones  Chief Justice of South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina
September 7, 2016