Oral Arguments at the Court of Appeals
(Date posted: 10/03/2022)

Oral Arguments at the Court of Appeals

Brown, Calhoun and Supreme Court Buildings to be Closed on September 30
(Date posted: 09/29/2022)

COLUMBIA, S.C. (September 29, 2022) – Based on the planned closure of Richland County government offices, South Carolina Judicial Branch offices in the Brown, Calhoun, and Supreme Court buildings will be closed on Friday, September 30, 2022. Judicial Branch employees in these buildings are excused from work due to this inclement weather closure. State judicial officers and Judicial Branch employees should follow the decisions made by their respective county government officials regarding office delays or closings.

Amendments to South Carolina Appellate Court Rules
(Date posted: 09/28/2022)

The Supreme Court has amended the Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement, which are found in Rule 413, SCACR; the Rules for Judicial Disciplinary Enforcement, which are found in Rule 502, SCACR; and the Rules of Professional Conduct, which are found in Rule 407, SCACR.

Inclement Weather Memorandum: Hurricane Ian
(Date posted: 09/28/2022)

Inclement Weather Memorandum: Hurricane Ian

CLE Credit for Volunteer Poll Workers
(Date posted: 09/27/2022)

The Supreme Court has issued an Order permitting lawyers to receive six hours of CLE credit if they volunteer to serve as poll workers for the November 8, 2022 election. A form has also been approved for lawyers to use to request credit from the CLE Commission.

Amendments to South Carolina Appellate Court Rules
(Date posted: 09/21/2022)

The Supreme Court has amended Rule 402(l) of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules to increase the number of members on the Committee on Character and Fitness.

Justices and Attorneys Commemorate Completion of Supreme Court Beautification Project
(Date posted: 09/14/2022)

Justices and Attorneys Commemorate Completion of Supreme Court Beautification Project

Chief Justice Asks Attorneys to Complete Civil Legal Needs Survey
(Date posted: 08/23/2022)

Chief Justice Donald W. Beatty encourages all South Carolina attorneys to participate in the Statewide Legal Needs Assessment, an online survey about the need for, and access to, civil legal representation in South Carolina.

South Carolina Judicial Branch Begins Live Testing of Technology Enhanced Courtroom (TEC) Project Courtrooms
(Date posted: 08/22/2022)

The South Carolina Judicial Branch has begun live testing of Technology Enhanced Courtroom (TEC) Project courtrooms during Circuit and Family Court proceedings in Greenville County.

G. Murrell Smith Jr., in his official capacity as Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives, et al. v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic and Greenville Women's Clinic
(Date posted: 08/17/2022)

The Supreme Court has issued an order in G. Murrell Smith Jr., in his official capacity as Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives, et al. v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic and Greenville Women's Clinic.

South Carolina Advance Sheet
(Date posted: 07/27/2022)

No Advance Sheet will be posted this week.

In the Matter of Richard Alexander Murdaugh, Respondent.
(Date posted: 07/12/2022)

In this matter, the Court disbars Respondent Richard Alexander Murdaugh.

Fee Memorandum - Clerks of Court and Registers of Deeds
(Date posted: 06/30/2022)

Statutory provisions for the distribution of revenue generated by the circuit courts, and family courts; fees and related charges of the registers of deeds

Fee Memorandum - Magistrate Courts and Municipal Courts
(Date posted: 06/30/2022)

Statutory provisions for the distribution of revenue generated by the magistrate courts and municipal courts

Fee Memorandum - County Treasurers
(Date posted: 06/30/2022)

Statutory provisions for the distribution of revenue generated by the circuit courts, family courts, magistrates courts and municipal courts; fees and related charges of the registers of deeds

Chief Judges for Administrative Purposes of the Summary Courts
(Date posted: 06/30/2022)

Chief Judges for Administrative Purposes of the Summary Courts

COVID-19 Mitigation Measures for the July 2022 South Carolina Bar Examination
(Date posted: 06/29/2022)

The July 2022 South Carolina Bar Examination is scheduled to be conducted on July 26 and 27, 2022. The July 2022 Bar Examination will be conducted as a live, in-person examination. The purpose of this Order is to discuss the COVID-19 mitigation measures for the July 2022 Bar Examination, including requirements for applicants both before and during the Examination.

Technical Failure of the E-Filing System
(Date posted: 06/29/2022)

Due to a system-wide network outage, the South Carolina Judicial Branch has announced a Technical Failure of the E-Filing System for June 28, 2022, in accordance with Section 9(b) of the South Carolina Electronic Filing Policies and Guidelines.

Chief Justice Beatty Authorizes Get a Lawyer Week in Charleston County
(Date posted: 06/28/2022)

COLUMBIA, S.C. (June 28, 2022) – Charleston County defendants out on surety bonds or personal recognizance bonds who have not responded to recent notices to appear in court will get a friendly chance to reestablish connection with the court system during Get a Lawyer Week, Tuesday, July 5 – Friday, July 8.

In the Matter of Richard Alexander Murdaugh, Respondent.
(Date posted: 06/21/2022)

On June 16, 2022, this Court issued an order directing Respondent to personally appear before this Court on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, to present legal argument on the question of whether Respondent should be disbarred from the practice of law in South Carolina based on his admitted professional misconduct. 

In the Matter of Richard Alexander Murdaugh, Respondent.
(Date posted: 06/16/2022)

The Supreme Court of South Carolina has issued an order In the Matter of Richard Alexander Murdaugh, Respondent.

Amendments to the South Carolina Electronic Filing Policies and Guidelines
(Date posted: 05/27/2022)

Based on the adoption of Rules 613 and 614 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules, several provisions of the South Carolina Electronic Filing Policies and Guidelines have been amended.

South Carolina Advance Sheet
(Date posted: 05/18/2022)

No Advance Sheet will be posted this week.

Chief Justice Beatty Issues 2021 Judicial Branch Annual Report
(Date posted: 05/11/2022)

Chief Justice Beatty Issues 2021 Judicial Branch Annual Report

Amended Order Regarding the Methods of Electronic Filing and Service Under Rule 262 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules
(Date posted: 05/06/2022)

Amended Order Regarding the Methods of Electronic Filing and Service Under Rule 262 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules

Order Regarding Service by E-Mail in the Trial Courts
(Date posted: 05/06/2022)

Pursuant to Rule 613 of the South Carolina Appellate Courts Rules, the Supreme Court has promulgated an order setting forth a uniform method for service by e-mail in the trial courts.

Rule Amendments
(Date posted: 05/02/2022)

Since ninety days have passed since submission without rejection by the General Assembly, the amendments contained in the referenced orders are effective immediately.

Administrative Suspensions for Failure to Comply with Continuing Legal Education Requirements
(Date posted: 04/29/2022)

Administrative Suspensions for Failure to Comply with Continuing Legal Education Requirements

Posted Results of the February Bar Examination
(Date posted: 04/22/2022)

The results of the February 2022 Uniform Bar Examination were posted on the Bar Admissions Page at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2022.

Results of the February 2022 Uniform Bar Examination
(Date posted: 04/20/2022)

The results of the February 2022 Uniform Bar Examination will be posted on the Bar Admissions page at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2022.

Order Regarding Special Referee in Foreclosure Matters
(Date posted: 04/11/2022)

This order concerns the service of a special referee in foreclosure cases.

Inclement Weather
(Date posted: 04/05/2022)

Inclement Weather

South Carolina Advance Sheet
(Date posted: 03/23/2022)

No Advance Sheet will be posted this week.

In-Person Proceedings and Jury Trials in the Trial Courts
(Date posted: 03/01/2022)

This order directs the trial courts to increase the number of in-person proceedings and jury trials.

Administrative Suspensions for Failure to Pay License Fees Required by Rule 410 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules
(Date posted: 02/24/2022)

The Supreme Court has issued an administrative order suspending lawyers under Rule 419 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules for failing to pay their license fees.

Rescission of Order Requiring Use of Protective Masks in County and Municipal Courthouses and other Orders Concerning In-Person Proceedings, Effective March 1, 2022.
(Date posted: 02/17/2022)

Effective March 1, 2022, the order mandating the use of masks or other facial coverings in county and municipal courthouses, as well as two other orders concerning in-person proceedings in the various trial courts, are rescinded. Notwithstanding the rescission of these orders, anyone at risk or concerned about the dangers of COVID-19 may continue to wear a mask inside any courthouse, and court personnel and judges should continue to employ reasonable mitigation measures to guard against the dangers of COVID-19.

Lawyer-Legislator Protection During the Legislative Session
(Date posted: 02/17/2022)

This Order Addresses Lawyer-Legislator Protection During the Legislative Session

South Carolina Advance Sheet
(Date posted: 02/16/2022)

No Advance Sheet will be posted this week.

Supreme Court Announces 2021 Pro Bono Honor Roll Recipients
(Date posted: 02/14/2022)

Supreme Court Announces 2021 Pro Bono Honor Roll Recipients

Drop Box for Delivering Documents to the Supreme Court
(Date posted: 02/11/2022)

Due to construction in the Supreme Court parking lot, the drop box for delivering documents to the Supreme Court is now located at the front entrance of the Supreme Court Building.

Amendment to the South Carolina Bar Constitution
(Date posted: 02/04/2022)

The Court has approved an amendment to Article VII, Section 7.2 of the South Carolina Bar Constitution, which was submitted by the South Carolina Bar.

Judicial Elections
(Date posted: 02/03/2022)

Judicial elections were held February 2, 2022. Congratulations to the following judges who were elected by the South Carolina General Assembly

COVID-19 Mitigation Measures for the February 2022 South Carolina Bar Examination
(Date posted: 02/02/2022)

COVID-19 Mitigation Measures for the February 2022 South Carolina Bar Examination

Rule Changes Submitted to the General Assembly
(Date posted: 02/01/2022)

Rule Changes Submitted to the General Assembly

Statement from Chief Justice Donald W. Beatty on Assignment of Judges to Murdaugh Cases
(Date posted: 01/28/2022)

Contrary to innuendos and misinformation contained in recent news coverage, Judge Clifton Newman was never removed from, or “reassigned” to, the Murdaugh cases. Judge Newman was initially assigned primarily to handle search warrants requested by SLED, and he still has that responsibility. Subsequent to assigning Judge Verdin to handle the first batch of charges from the State Grand Jury, it became clear that the circumstances of all the charges indicted thus far were intertwined and included some of the same evidence. As a result, I concluded that the most efficient use of personnel and resources would result from assigning the known charges to one judge. Judge Newman's early involvement in the warrant requests put him in the best position to handle the trials. Other judges may be assigned to handle future indictments.

Extension of the Order Regarding the Operation of the Trial Courts During the Coronavirus Emergency
(Date posted: 01/28/2022)

The Supreme Court has issued an order extending the current Order Regarding the Operation of the Trial Courts During the Coronavirus Emergency until May 5, 2022.

Expanded Use of Remote Communication Technology to Conduct Guilty Pleas
(Date posted: 01/24/2022)

Expanded Use of Remote Communication Technology to Conduct Guilty Pleas

Inclement Weather
(Date posted: 01/20/2022)

Inclement Weather

Inclement Weather
(Date posted: 01/13/2022)

Inclement Weather

Lawyer-Legislator Protection During the Legislative Session
(Date posted: 01/11/2022)

This order rescinds the order of August 4, 2021 that provided protection for lawyer-legislators participating in public hearings and meetings related to redistricting and committee meetings on the American Rescue Plan Act. The order also supersedes a May 19, 2017 order with regard to lawyer-legislator protection during the legislative session generally. 

Chief Judges for Administrative Purposes of the Summary Courts
(Date posted: 01/07/2022)

Chief Judges for Administrative Purposes of the Summary Courts

Interest Rate on Money Decrees and Judgments
(Date posted: 01/06/2022)

Order issued regarding legal rate of interest on money decrees and judgments.