South Carolina Court Rules (2026)
Browse all 18 rule sets with 573 rules, each with plain-English summaries and committee notes. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules.
South Carolina Court Rules & Rules of Practice
How this jurisdiction's courts and rules are organized, written for lawyers new to it: the court system, every ruleset a litigator touches, and how a case actually moves. Last verified September 24, 2026. For informational purposes only.
- Court System Overview
- The Ruleset Map
- Civil Litigation Mechanics
- Criminal Practice Mechanics
- Evidence
- Appellate Mechanics
- Rules of Professional Conduct
- Attorney Discipline & Enforcement
- Newcomer Orientation Notes
- Sources & Verification
South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure
The South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure govern civil actions in the circuit courts, covering commencement of actions, service of process, pleadings, discovery, summary judgment, trial, and judgments.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseSouth Carolina Appellate Court Rules
The South Carolina Appellate Court Rules govern practice before the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals, and also cover admission to the bar, lawyer and judicial discipline, and continuing legal education.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseSouth Carolina Rules of Evidence
The South Carolina Rules of Evidence govern the admissibility of evidence in state courts, covering relevance, privileges, witnesses, opinion and expert testimony, hearsay, and authentication.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseSouth Carolina Rules of Family Court
The South Carolina Rules of Family Court govern proceedings in the family courts, covering pleadings, temporary relief, discovery, hearings, and final orders in domestic and juvenile matters.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseSouth Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct
Rule 407 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules is the Rules of Professional Conduct, governing the ethical duties of lawyers practicing in South Carolina: the client-lawyer relationship, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, duties to the tribunal and to opposing parties, law firm responsibilities, advertising, and professional misconduct.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseSouth Carolina Rules of Magistrates Court
The South Carolina Rules of Magistrates Court govern civil and criminal proceedings before magistrates, covering pleadings, service, trial procedure, and appeals.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseSouth Carolina Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules
The South Carolina Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules govern court-annexed mediation and arbitration, covering referral, selection of neutrals, the conduct of proceedings, confidentiality, and the code of ethics for arbitrators and mediators.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseSouth Carolina Rules of Criminal Procedure
The South Carolina Rules of Criminal Procedure govern criminal proceedings in the state courts, covering pretrial matters, arraignment and pleas, trial, sentencing, and post-conviction relief.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseSouth Carolina Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement
Rule 413 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules governs lawyer discipline: the Commission on Lawyer Conduct, how complaints are investigated and prosecuted, hearing procedure before a panel, the sanctions available, incapacity, reinstatement, and resignation in lieu of discipline.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseSouth Carolina Rules for Judicial Disciplinary Enforcement
Rule 502 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules governs judicial discipline: the Commission on Judicial Conduct, how complaints against judges are investigated and heard, the sanctions available, and incapacity proceedings.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseSouth Carolina Electronic Filing Rules
The South Carolina Electronic Filing Rules govern electronic filing and service in the state courts, covering authorization, signatures, fees, and the official court record. Its provisions are cited as sections rather than rules.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseSouth Carolina Business Court Program Orders
The Supreme Court of South Carolina created and continues the Business Court Program by administrative order rather than by a numbered rule set. Begun as a pilot in 2007 and expanded statewide in 2014, the program assigns designated circuit judges to sit as Business Court Judges, with assignment made by the Chief Business Court Judge either on their own motion or at counsel's request and without regard to the amount in controversy. The order of August 1, 2024 covers all counties statewide and supersedes the prior orders. Each order is published here as its own rule, numbered as the court numbers it, so a citation to any of them resolves.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseSouth Carolina Rules for Resolution of Fee Disputes
Rule 416 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules creates and governs the Resolution of Fee Disputes Board, which resolves disputes between lawyers and clients over fees without resort to litigation.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseSouth Carolina Code of Conduct for Court Interpreters
Rule 511 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules governs court interpreters: accuracy and completeness of interpretation, impartiality, confidentiality, limits on the interpreter's role, and professional development.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseSouth Carolina Rules of Probate Court
The South Carolina Rules of Probate Court govern proceedings in the probate courts, covering pleadings, hearings, and the application of the civil procedure rules to probate matters.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseSouth Carolina Financial Recordkeeping Rule
Rule 417 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules sets the financial records a lawyer must maintain for client and trust funds, including receipt and disbursement journals, ledgers, reconciliations, and the prohibition on bearer items.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseSouth Carolina Code of Judicial Conduct
Rule 501 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules is the Code of Judicial Conduct, governing the conduct of judges: judicial independence and integrity, impartiality and diligence, disqualification, permitted extrajudicial activities, and political conduct.
Updated 2026 Edition
BrowseSouth Carolina Code of Conduct for Staff Attorneys and Law Clerks
Rule 506 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules is the Code of Conduct for Staff Attorneys and Law Clerks, setting the ethical obligations of judicial staff, including confidentiality, avoidance of the appearance of impropriety, and restrictions on outside activity.
Updated 2026 Edition
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