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South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure – 2026

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.

Browse all 90 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

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I. Scope of Rules - One Form of Action II. Commencement of Action: Service of Process, Pleadings, Motions and Orders III. Pleadings and Motions IV. Parties V. Depositions and Discovery VI. Trials VII. Judgment VIII. Provisional and Final Remedies and Special Proceedings IX. Appeals and Arbitration X. Courts and Clerks XI. General Provisions

I. Scope of Rules - One Form of Action

Rule 1 Scope of Rules Rule 2 One Form of Action

II. Commencement of Action: Service of Process, Pleadings, Motions and Orders

Rule 3 Commencement of Action Rule 4 Process Rule 4.1 Service of Process in Foreign Countries Rule 5 Service and Filing of Pleadings and Other Papers Rule 6 Time

III. Pleadings and Motions

Rule 7 Pleadings Allowed: Form of Motions Rule 8 General Rules of Pleading Rule 9 Pleading Special Matters Rule 10 Form of Pleadings Rule 11 Signing of Pleadings; Attorneys Rule 12 Defenses and Objections - When and How Presented - by Pleading or Motion - Motion for Judgment on Pleadings Rule 13 Counterclaim and Cross-claim Rule 14 Third Party Practice Rule 15 Amended and Supplemental Pleadings Rule 16 Pre-trial Procedure: Formulating Issues

IV. Parties

Rule 17 Parties Plaintiff and Defendant: Capacity Rule 18 Joinder of Claims and Remedies Rule 19 Joinder of Persons Needed for Just Adjudication Rule 20 Permissive Joinder of Parties Rule 21 Misjoinder and Non-joinder of Parties Rule 22 Interpleader Rule 23 Class Actions Rule 24 Intervention Rule 25 Substitution of Parties

V. Depositions and Discovery

Rule 26 General Provisions Governing Discovery Rule 27 Depositions Before Action or Pending Appeal Rule 28 Persons Before Whom Depositions May Be Taken; Depositions in Out-of-state Actions Rule 29 Stipulations Regarding Discovery Procedure Rule 30 Depositions Upon Oral Examination Rule 31 Depositions Upon Written Questions Rule 32 Use of Depositions in Court Proceedings Rule 33 Interrogatories to Parties Rule 34 Production of Documents and Things and Entry Upon Land for Inspection and Other Purposes Rule 35 Physical and Mental Examinations Rule 36 Request for Admission Rule 37 Failure to Make or Cooperate in Discovery: Sanctions

VI. Trials

Rule 38 Jury Trial of Right Rule 39 Trial by Jury or by the Court Rule 40 General Docket, Trial Rosters, and Call of Cases for Trial Rule 41 Dismissal of Actions; Non-suit Rule 41.1 Sealing Documents and Settlement Agreements Rule 41.2 Privacy Protection for Filings Rule 42 Consolidation; Separate Trials Rule 43 Conduct of Trial Rule 44 Proof of Official Record; Foreign Law Rule 45 Subpoena Rule 46 Exceptions Unnecessary Rule 47 Jurors Rule 48 Juries of Less Than Twelve; Majority Verdict Rule 49 Special Verdicts and Interrogatories Rule 50 Motion for a Directed Verdict and for Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict Rule 51 Instructions to Jury: Objection Rule 52 Findings by the Court Rule 53 Masters and Special Referees

VII. Judgment

Rule 54 Judgments: Costs Rule 55 Default Rule 56 Summary Judgment Rule 57 Declaratory Judgments Rule 58 Entry of Judgment Rule 59 New Trials; Amendment of Judgments Rule 60 Relief from Judgment or Order Rule 61 Harmless Error Rule 62 Stay of Proceedings to Enforce a Judgment Rule 63 Disability of a Judge

VIII. Provisional and Final Remedies and Special Proceedings

Rule 64 Remedies for Seizure, Remedies Not Provided Rule 65 Injunctions; Mandamus, Habeas Corpus, and Other Remedial Writs Rule 66 Receivers Rule 67 Deposit in Court Rule 68 Offer of Judgment Rule 69 Execution Rule 70 Judgment for Specific Acts: Vesting Title Rule 71 Foreclosure and Partition Rule 71.1 Post-conviction Relief Actions

IX. Appeals and Arbitration

Rule 72 Judgments and Orders Subject to Appeal Rule 73 Procedure on Appeal to Supreme Court or Court of Appeals Rule 74 Procedure on Appeal to the Circuit Court Rule 75 Record on Appeal to the Circuit Court: Transmittal Rule 76 Arbitration: Automobile Reparation

X. Courts and Clerks

Rule 77 Courts and Clerks Rule 78 Clerks of Court; Records, Abstracts, Books Rule 79 Calendar of Civil Actions; File Book Rule 80 Stenographic Report of Transcript as Evidence

XI. General Provisions

Rule 81 Applicability Rule 82 Jurisdiction and Venue Rule 84 Forms Rule 85 Title; Criminal Procedure; Rules Repealed Rule 86 Effective Date Rule appendix-of-forms Appendix of Forms