CHAPTER 5 - CIRCUIT COURTS
Title 14 - Courts
CHAPTER 5.
CIRCUIT COURTS
ARTICLE 1.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 14-5-10. Circuit courts shall be courts of record; public inspection of records.
The circuit courts herein established shall be courts of record, and the books of record thereof shall, at all times, be subject to the inspection of any person interested therein.
SECTION 14-5-20. Seals of courts of common pleas.
The courts of common pleas shall, at the expense of the State, have a seal for each county of an impression similar to that of the court of common pleas in Charleston County and uniform with that seal except that each seal shall in the legend have the name of the court in which it is used. Such seals shall always be affixed to such proceedings of the respective courts as may require the same.
ARTICLE 3.
JUDGES AND SPECIAL JUDGES
SECTION 14-5-110. Qualification by circuit judge.
The circuit judges of this State, upon their election, shall qualify by taking the oath required by the Constitution of this State before a justice of the Supreme Court, the President of the Senate, the Speaker or Speaker Emeritus of the House of Representatives, a circuit judge, a clerk of the Supreme Court, a clerk of the court of common pleas or a probate judge of the county, and shall forthwith enter upon their duties. Such oath must be filed in the office of the Secretary of State. Terms of office for all circuit judges elected after January 1, 1977, shall commence as of July first of the year in which they are elected.
SECTION 14-5-120. Salaries of judges.
The circuit judges shall each receive such annual salary as may be provided by the General Assembly.
SECTION 14-5-130. Judges shall not absent themselves from State without permission.
No circuit judge shall absent himself from this State without leave first granted in writing by the Chief Justice or presiding associate justice.
SECTION 14-5-140. Neglect of duty as to holding terms, disobeying order of assignment, and other violations; proceedings.
If any circuit judge shall fail or neglect to hold a term of any court of general sessions or common pleas in any circuit to which he may be assigned until the business of such court shall have been disposed of or the end of the term arrives, shall fail to recognize and obey the order of assignment of the Chief Justice or presiding associate justice or shall violate any provisions of this chapter, the Attorney General shall, upon any reliable information of the same, by official communication bring such violations of this chapter to the notice of the General Assembly at its first session and such circuit judge shall be held amenable to proceedings for neglect of duty, as provided in the Constitution.
SECTION 14-5-150. Judges shall notify Chief Justice of inability or disability to hold court.
Each circuit judge, when disabled by sickness or other cause to hold any court to which he may be assigned, shall give or cause to be given prompt notice of such inability or disability to the Chief Justice so that his place may be temporarily filled and the court held according to law.
SECTION 14-5-160. Assignment of disengaged circuit judge to fill vacancy.
Whenever any circuit judge, pending his assignment to hold the courts of any circuit, shall die, resign, be disabled by illness or be excused for any other reason considered sufficient in the opinion of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or in case of a vacancy in the office of circuit judge of any circuit or if a special session of the court of general sessions or common pleas be ordered as provided for in Sections 14-5-910 to 14-5-950, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may assign any other disengaged circuit judge to hold the courts of any such circuit, to fill any appointment made necessary by such vacancy or to hold any special session of the circuit court that may be ordered by the Chief Justice.
SECTION 14-5-170. Appointment of special judge to fill vacancy.
In the event there be no other disengaged circuit judge available to hold such courts, then the Governor shall immediately commission as special judge some person learned in the law, as shall be recommended by the Supreme Court or by the Chief Justice thereof if the Supreme Court be not in session, to hold the courts of any such circuit or to hold any special session thereof which may be ordered by the Chief Justice as aforesaid. Whenever a special judge shall be appointed to hold any court he shall have and exercise all the powers and duties that a regular judge would have if presiding.
SECTION 14-5-180. Assignment of disengaged circuit judge or appointment of special judge when docket is overcrowded.
Whenever the time fixed for holding any of the courts of general sessions or common pleas of this State shall be found not sufficient for the trial of all cases before the court, a like assignment of a disengaged circuit judge or commission of a special judge may be had to hold the court to which the judge then holding such overcrowded court may have been in due course next assigned and the term of such overcrowded court shall proceed until the cases before it are disposed of.
SECTION 14-5-190. Assignment or appointment when Chief Justice is not available.
Should there be a vacancy in the office of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or in case of his absence from the State or of his illness or incapacity from whatever cause, then the power and authority vested and the duties imposed upon the Chief Justice by the provisions of Sections 14-5-160 to 14-5-180 shall be exercised and discharged by the senior associate justice of the Supreme Court in point of service who is at the time within the State and is not ill or otherwise incapacitated and his acts in exercising such powers and discharging such duties shall be as effectual as though performed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
SECTION 14-5-200. Compensation of special judge.
The special judge shall be allowed for his services per diem of one hundred ($100.00) dollars and his necessary expenses and the same per diem for not exceeding five days for the preparation of his decrees.
SECTION 14-5-210. Clerk shall adjourn court in absence or indisposition of judge.
Whenever it shall so happen that any circuit court in this State cannot be held at the time appointed, in consequence of the absence or indisposition of the judge, the clerk of such court or his deputy shall open and adjourn the court from day to day until the court shall meet or until he may receive due notice that the judge will not be present, when he shall adjourn the court until the first day of the succeeding term.
SECTION 14-5-220. Clerk shall notify authorities and jurors of special terms.
When notified of the appointment of a special judge to hold a special term, the clerk of the court shall notify the proper authorities and the grand jury shall be summoned to attend, if it be a court of sessions, and a petit jury shall be drawn and summoned, if jury cases are to be tried, in the regular manner, for the purpose of such court and as the same may be necessary. The clerk shall notify the special judge of the time fixed for holding the special term of court.
ARTICLE 5.
POWERS AND JURISDICTION OF COURTS AND JUDGES
SECTION 14-5-310. Rules of court.
The circuit courts may make and establish all necessary rules for the orderly conducting of business in said courts, provided such rules are not repugnant to the laws of the State or the rules prescribed by the justices of the Supreme Court and circuit judges.
SECTION 14-5-320. Contempt of court.
The circuit court may punish by fine or imprisonment, at the discretion of the court, all contempts of authority in any cause or hearing before the same.
SECTION 14-5-330. Oaths and affirmations.
The circuit court may administer all necessary oaths or affirmations.
SECTION 14-5-340. Appeals from magistrates' or municipal courts; notice of hearing.
Circuit judges may hear appeals from magistrates' courts and municipal courts to the court of general sessions and the court of common pleas, upon notice as required by law being given for the hearing of such appeals.
SECTION 14-5-350. Powers of judges at chambers generally; place of hearing.
All regular and special judges shall have at chambers in any county within the circuit in which they are resident or in the circuit in which they are assigned to hold court all powers and jurisdiction which they have and exercise in open court in any county within such circuit, except for the determination of such matters as necessitate trial by jury. They may hear and determine actions for partition and foreclosure suits and all other equity matters concerning real estate whether within or without the county where the land in question lies. But no hearing, except with consent, shall be had outside the judicial circuit of the judge having jurisdiction.
SECTION 14-5-360. Powers when temporarily absent from circuit.
Circuit judges may grant orders and decrees in cases arising in the circuit in which they may be at the time the presiding judges therein or resident judges thereof, when they are temporarily absent from the circuit. This provision shall not be construed so as to nullify or limit any other powers conferred on circuit judges.
SECTION 14-5-370. Jurisdiction of judge of adjoining circuit.
In case any judicial circuit is without a resident judge, by reason of death, absence, disqualification or otherwise, and no other judge, special or regular, is presiding therein, then jurisdiction in all matters arising in such circuit is conferred upon and shall be exercised by the resident judge of any adjoining circuit or by any judge presiding therein. Any judge exercising such jurisdiction shall first satisfy himself of the necessity of doing so by affidavit of the moving party.
SECTION 14-5-380. Powers of judge holding court in circuit other than that of residence.
Every judge while holding the circuit court for any circuit pursuant to the provisions of the law of this State shall be invested with powers equal to those of the judge of such circuit and may hear and determine all causes and motions and grant all orders in open court or at chambers which it is competent for the judge residing in such circuit to hear, determine or grant, any law, usage or custom to the contrary notwithstanding.
SECTION 14-5-390. Jurisdiction of judge within circuit wherein he resides.
Every circuit judge in this State shall at all times have jurisdiction to discharge and perform all the duties of his office within the circuit wherein he resides, except the holding of circuit courts therein when some other circuit judge shall be engaged in holding such courts.
SECTION 14-5-400. Jurisdiction of judge presiding at term beginning last Monday in April.
Any judge of the circuit court of this State who may be presiding at a court in any county in the State at a term beginning the last Monday in April of any year shall have jurisdiction of all matters throughout such term, notwithstanding such term may extend into the month of May.
SECTION 14-5-410. Transacting general sessions business during common pleas court.
Whenever provision is made for holding the court of common pleas the presiding judge, during the time allowed for the holding of the court of common pleas, may open the court of general sessions and transact all or such business of the court of general sessions except trials by jury as such judge may deem expedient.
SECTION 14-5-420. Transacting common pleas business during general sessions court.
The court of common pleas shall be open at all terms of the court of general sessions for the transaction of all business of regular terms of the court of common pleas except trial by jury, and cases in the court of common pleas may be tried by jury during the term of any court of general sessions on consent of the parties or their attorneys to any of such cases and when such trial does not conflict with the business of the court of general sessions.
SECTION 14-5-430. Adjournment of court of common pleas when general sessions not concluded.
Should the business before the court of general sessions at any term not be completed on the arrival of the day fixed by law for the holding of the court of common pleas, the judge presiding may, in his discretion, adjourn the court of common pleas until the business of the court of general sessions shall have been concluded.
SECTION 14-5-440. Calling off regular terms of common pleas court.
Regular terms of the court of common pleas fixed by statute shall not be called off by the request of the members of the bar in the county in which the court is to be held unless at least three fourths of the resident members of such bar having cases for trial at that time request the same, in writing, of the judge who is to preside at such court.
SECTION 14-5-450. Adjournment of circuit courts on account of disease.
The judge of the circuit court shall have power to direct any circuit court in his circuit to be adjourned over to a future day designated in a written order to the clerk of such court whenever there is a dangerous and general disease at the place where such court is usually held.
ARTICLE 7.
CIRCUITS AND TERMS OF COURT
SECTION 14-5-610. Division of state into sixteen judicial circuits; number of judges to be elected from each circuit; election of additional judges without regard to county or circuit of residence.
The State is divided into sixteen judicial circuits as follows:
(1) The first circuit is composed of the counties of Calhoun, Dorchester, and Orangeburg.
(2) The second circuit is composed of the counties of Aiken, Bamberg, and Barnwell.
(3) The third circuit is composed of the counties of Clarendon, Lee, Sumter, and Williamsburg.
(4) The fourth circuit is composed of the counties of Chesterfield, Darlington, Marlboro, and Dillon.
(5) The fifth circuit is composed of the counties of Kershaw and Richland.
(6) The sixth circuit is composed of the counties of Chester, Lancaster, and Fairfield.
(7) The seventh circuit is composed of the counties of Cherokee and Spartanburg.
(8) The eighth circuit is composed of the counties of Abbeville, Greenwood, Laurens, and Newberry.
(9) The ninth circuit is composed of the counties of Charleston and Berkeley.
(10) The tenth circuit is composed of the counties of Anderson and Oconee.
(11) The eleventh circuit is composed of the counties of Lexington, McCormick, Saluda, and Edgefield.
(12) The twelfth circuit is composed of the counties of Florence and Marion.
(13) The thirteenth circuit is composed of the counties of Greenville and Pickens.
(14) The fourteenth circuit is composed of the counties of Allendale, Hampton, Colleton, Jasper, and Beaufort.
(15) The fifteenth circuit is composed of the counties of Georgetown and Horry.
(16) The sixteenth circuit is composed of the counties of York and Union.
One judge must be elected from the second, sixth, and twelfth circuits. Two judges must be elected from the first, third, fourth, seventh, eighth, tenth, eleventh, fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth circuits. Three judges must be elected from the fifth and ninth circuits. Four judges must be elected from the thirteenth circuit.
In addition to the above judges authorized by this section, there must be thirteen additional circuit judges elected by the General Assembly from the State at large for terms of office of six years. These additional judges must be elected without regard to county or circuit of residence. Each office of the at-large judges is a separate office and is assigned numerical designations of Seat No. 1 through Seat No. 13 respectively.
SECTION 14-5-620. Terms of court in first circuit.
The courts of the first judicial circuit shall be held as hereinafter provided.
(1) Calhoun County. - The court of general sessions for Calhoun County shall be held at St. Matthews on the fourth Monday in May, the fourth Monday in September, and the first Monday in February. The court of common pleas for said county shall be held at St. Matthews on the fourth Monday in April and the first Monday in December for two weeks. And in addition to the terms of the court of common pleas above provided for there shall be terms of such court during each of the weeks in which there are fixed terms of court for the court of general sessions and immediately upon the conclusion of the business of the court of general sessions such court shall open and the petit jurors drawn to serve in the court of general sessions shall serve as petit jurors in the court of common pleas and any and all business may be transacted as at any other term of the court of common pleas.
(2) Dorchester County. - The court of general sessions for Dorchester County shall be held at St. George on the third Monday in February, the second Monday in April, the fourth Monday in June and the second Monday in November for one week each. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at St. George on the first and third Mondays in April, the third Monday in October and the first Monday in November for one week each. There shall also be a court of common pleas at St. George for one week commencing on the second Monday in July without a jury.
(3) Orangeburg County. - The court of general sessions for the county of Orangeburg shall be held at Orangeburg the second Monday in January, the first Monday in May and the second Monday in September. The term shall be for two weeks for the January and September sessions. The term shall be for three weeks for the May session. The court of common pleas for the county of Orangeburg shall be held at Orangeburg on the second Monday in March for three weeks, the first Monday in June for three weeks, and a three-week term commencing the first Monday in October, continuing for two weeks and then recommencing on the fourth Monday and continuing for an additional week.
SECTION 14-5-630. Terms of court in second circuit.
The courts of the second judicial circuit shall be held as hereinafter provided.
(1) Aiken County. - The court of general sessions for Aiken County shall be held at Aiken on the second Monday in January for two weeks, the first Monday in May for three weeks and the first Monday in October for two weeks. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Aiken on the fourth Monday in January for a term of two weeks, on the fourth Monday in February for a term of two weeks, on the second Monday in April for a term of one week, on the third Monday in June for a term of two weeks and on the first Monday in November for a term of three weeks; provided, if Thanksgiving Day occurs during the third week of the session, the last week of the term shall be held during the following week.
(2) Bamberg County. - The court of general sessions for Bamberg County shall be held at Bamberg on the third Monday in February for a term of one week and on the second Monday in September for a term of one week. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Bamberg on the third Monday in April for a term of two weeks, on the second Monday in July for a term of one week and on the third Monday in October for a term of two weeks. Immediately upon the conclusion of the business of the court of common pleas during the term commencing on the second Monday in July the court of general sessions shall open and the petit jurors drawn to serve in the court of common pleas shall serve as petit jurors in the court of general sessions and any and all business may be transacted during the July term as may be done during any other term of court of general sessions.
(3) Barnwell County. - The court of general sessions for Barnwell County shall be held at Barnwell on the second Monday in February for a term of one week, on the fourth Monday in May for a term of one week and on the third Monday in September for a term of one week. The court of common pleas of the county shall be held at Barnwell on the second Monday in March for a term of two weeks, on the first Monday in June for a term of two weeks, immediately upon the conclusion of the business of the court of general sessions in September for the remainder of the week, and on the first Monday in December for a term of two weeks.
Immediately upon the conclusion of the business of the court of general sessions in September, the court of common pleas shall open, and the petit jurors drawn to serve in the court of general sessions shall serve as petit jurors in the court of common pleas, and any and all business may be transacted during the September term as may be done at any other term of the court of common pleas. Provided, the petit jury for this term of the court of common pleas shall not report for service before Wednesday.
SECTION 14-5-640. Terms of court in third circuit.
The courts of the third judicial circuit shall be held as hereinafter provided.
(1) Clarendon County. - The court of general sessions for Clarendon County shall be held at Manning on the fourth Monday in January, the third Monday in June and the second Monday in September, each for one week. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Manning on the first Monday in March for two weeks, the fourth Monday in April for one week, the fourth Monday in June for one week and the third Monday in October for two weeks.
(2) Lee County. - The court of general sessions for Lee County shall be held at Bishopville on the first Monday in February, on the second Monday in June and on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in September, each for one week. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Bishopville on the fourth Monday in March for one week, the first Monday in May for one week, the fourth Monday in September for one week and the first Monday after the fourth Monday in November for one week. But there shall be no jury trials at the summer term of the court of general sessions unless a majority of the Lee County Bar Association deems it advisable and so notifies the judge of the circuit.
(3) Sumter County. - The court of general sessions for Sumter County shall be held at Sumter on the second Monday in February for two weeks, on the second Monday in May for two weeks, on the fourth Monday in July for two weeks, on the first Monday in November for two weeks and on the second Monday in December for one week. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Sumter on the first Monday in January for three weeks, on the first Monday in April for three weeks, and on the first Monday after the fourth Monday in September for two weeks. Provided, that in each year that September has five Mondays the last term of common pleas court shall be for three weeks.
(4) Williamsburg County. - The court of general sessions for Williamsburg County shall be held at Kingstree on the second Monday after the second Monday in February, on the first Monday in June and on the third Monday in September, each for one week. The court of common pleas shall be held at Kingstree on the third Monday in March for one week, on the fourth Monday in May for one week, on Wednesday first succeeding the first Monday in June for one week and on the third Monday in November for two weeks. But no jury trial of civil cases shall be had at the June term except by consent. The petit jurors for the first and third terms of the court of general sessions shall not be required to attend the first, second and fourth terms of the court of common pleas, but separate juries shall be drawn and summoned for such courts.
SECTION 14-5-650. Terms of court in fourth circuit.
The courts of the fourth judicial circuit shall be held as follows:
(1) Courts of general sessions. - At Chesterfield for Chesterfield County on the first Monday in February, the third Monday in May and the second Monday in October; at Bennettsville for Marlboro County on the second Monday in February, the first Monday in May and the second Monday in November; at Darlington for Darlington County on the third Monday in February, the second Monday in April, the third Monday in June and the third Monday in September; and at Dillon for Dillon County on the second Monday in March, the first Monday in June and the fourth Monday in September.
(2) Courts of common pleas. - At Chesterfield for Chesterfield County on the first Monday in January, the third Monday in April, the fourth Monday in May, the first Monday in September, the fourth Monday in November for two weeks; at Bennettsville for Marlboro County on the fourth Monday in January, the first Monday in March, the first Monday in April, the second Monday in May, the first Monday in October and the second Monday in December; at Darlington for Darlington County on the second Monday in January for two weeks, the third Monday in March for two weeks, the fourth Monday in April, the fourth Monday in June, the fourth Monday in October for two weeks; at Dillon for Dillon County on the fourth Monday in February, the second Monday in June, the second Monday in September, the third Monday in October and the third Monday in November.
Provided, that when New Year's Day falls on the first Monday in January, the January term of the court of common pleas for Chesterfield County shall convene on the first Tuesday; provided, further, that the September term of the court of common pleas for Chesterfield County shall convene on the first Tuesday; and provided, further, that when Thanksgiving falls within the week of the fourth Monday in November, the November term of the court of common pleas for Chesterfield County shall adjourn for that week on Wednesday.
(3) Use of portion of May or June term of court of common pleas in all four counties in the circuit by court of general sessions. - In all four counties in the circuit when matters before the court of common pleas during the circuit court term in May or June have been disposed of, the balance of the term may be used by the court of general sessions to dispose of matters brought before it.
SECTION 14-5-660. Time when pleadings and other papers are returnable in fourth circuit; notice of terms.
All recognizances, pleadings, notices and papers shall be returnable and applicable to the terms of the court as fixed by Section 14-5-650 and the clerk of the court for each county in the fourth judicial circuit shall give two weeks' notice of each and every term of the court in some newspaper published in the county, stating the day of the month on which the next court will open for the county.
SECTION 14-5-670. Terms of court in fifth circuit.
The courts of the fifth judicial circuit shall be held as hereinafter provided.
(1) Kershaw County. - The court of general sessions for Kershaw County shall be held at Camden on the third Monday in February, the third Monday in May and the fourth Monday in October. The court of common pleas for said county shall be held at Camden on the fourth Monday in February, the first Monday in May and the first Monday in November. The terms of the court of common pleas shall continue for two weeks each.
(2) Richland County. - The court of general sessions for Richland County shall be held at Columbia on the second Monday in January for two weeks, on the second Monday in April for two weeks, on the third Monday in June for two weeks, on the Tuesday following the first Monday in September for three weeks and on the second Monday in December for two weeks. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held in Columbia on the fourth Monday in January for two weeks, on the second Monday in March for three weeks, on the first Monday in June for two weeks, on the fourth Monday in September for three weeks and on the third Monday in November for three weeks, two weeks of which shall be for the disposal of jury matters and the other week, which includes Thanksgiving Day, for the disposal of motions, equity matters and other matters not requiring the attendance of a jury.
(3) Additional terms for certain matters. - In addition to the terms of court hereinbefore set forth, there shall be held additional terms of court, without juries, to hear equity matters and all matters not requiring jury trials, such terms to be held as follows:
(a) Richland County: On the third Monday in February, on the third Monday in May and on the fourth Monday in October, each for one week; and
(b) Kershaw County: On the second Monday in January, on the second Monday in April and on the second Monday in September, each for one week.
The terms of court provided for in this paragraph (3) shall be presided over by a judge other than the regularly assigned judge, to be selected by the Chief Justice from the regular or retired circuit judges, or he may select a special judge, qualified by law, to hold such terms. The terms of court provided for in this paragraph (3), if found at any time to be unnecessary, shall be called off as the law now provides for other terms.
SECTION 14-5-680. Designation of terms in fifth circuit.
The courts held under the provisions of Section 14-5-670 in the fifth circuit during the first four months of the year shall be known as the spring term of the court of general sessions and the spring term of the court of common pleas, during the next four months as the summer terms of said courts and during the last four months as the fall terms of said courts. And the two sessions of the court of common pleas therein appointed for Richland County during the spring term and the two sessions of said court for Richland County herein appointed during the fall term shall be known as the first and second sessions, respectively, of such terms.
SECTION 14-5-690. Days for pre-trial and nonjury matters in fifth circuit.
The first day of each term of the court of common pleas provided for in the fifth circuit shall be set aside for pre-trial motions and all matters not requiring a jury, except those two terms in Richland County of which an entire week is designated for that purpose as herein provided for. When the first day of the term of the court of common pleas is set aside for pre-trial motions and matters not requiring a jury, as herein provided, the jury for said court of common pleas shall not be summoned to appear on the first day of the term but shall be summoned to appear on the second day of the term.
SECTION 14-5-700. Terms of court in sixth circuit.
The courts of the sixth judicial circuit shall be held for a term of one week, unless otherwise specified, as hereinafter provided.
(1) Chester County. - The court of general sessions for the county of Chester shall be held at Chester on the second Monday in January, on the first Monday in March, the third Monday in June and the second Monday in October. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Chester the third Monday in February, the second Monday in April, the fourth Monday in May, the fourth Monday in September and the first Monday in December.
(2) Fairfield County. - The court of general sessions for Fairfield County shall be held at Winnsboro on the fourth Monday in January, the second Monday in June, the Tuesday following the first Monday in September, and on the first Monday in November. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Winnsboro on the second Monday in March, the third Monday in May, the first Monday in October and the fourth Monday in November.
(3) Lancaster County. - The court of general sessions for Lancaster County shall be held at Lancaster on the first Monday in February for a two-week term, the fourth Monday in April, the third Monday in September and the second Monday in November for a two-week term. The court of common pleas shall be held in Lancaster beginning on the third Monday in January, the third Monday in March, the first Monday in April, the second Monday in May, the second Monday in September, the fourth Monday in October and the second Monday in December.
SECTION 14-5-710. Terms of court in seventh circuit.
The courts of the seventh judicial circuit shall be held as hereinafter provided.
(1) Cherokee County. - The court of common pleas for Cherokee County shall be held at Gaffney on the first Monday of March for two weeks, on the first Monday of May for two weeks, and on the first Monday of November for two weeks. The court of general sessions for Cherokee County shall be held at Gaffney on the third Monday of March for one week, on the third Monday of May for one week, on the second Monday of September for two weeks, and on the third Monday of November for two weeks.
(2) Spartanburg County. - The court of common pleas for Spartanburg County shall be held at Spartanburg on the fourth Monday in January for three weeks, on the fourth Monday of March for four weeks, on the fourth Monday of May for three weeks, on the third Monday of July for one week (other than for jury trials), and on the fourth Monday of September for three weeks. The court of general sessions for Spartanburg County shall be held at Spartanburg on the second Monday of January for two weeks, on the fourth Monday of February for one week, on the fourth Monday after the fourth Monday of March for one week, on the third Monday after the fourth Monday of May for one week, and on the third Monday after the fourth Monday of September for three weeks.
SECTION 14-5-720. Continuing general sessions term in seventh circuit.
If the business of the court of general sessions is not concluded at the end of any week, except the second week in January at Spartanburg, the petit jury drawn for that term of the sessions court shall be continued for the next week or until the business of the sessions court is completed.
SECTION 14-5-730. Terms of court in eighth circuit.
The courts of the eighth judicial circuit shall be held as hereinafter provided.
(1) Abbeville County. - The court of general sessions for Abbeville County shall be held at Abbeville on the first Monday in February, the first Monday in May, and the first Monday in September, in each case for one week. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Abbeville on the Monday following the fourth Monday in March, the fourth Monday in June, the second Monday in October, and the second Monday in December, in each case for one week.
(2) Greenwood County. - The court of general sessions for Greenwood County shall be held at Greenwood for a one-week term on the second Monday in February, the second Monday in April, the second Monday in May and the second Monday in September. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Greenwood for a two-week term beginning on the second Monday in January, for a one-week term beginning the second Monday in March, the third Monday in April, the first Monday in June, and for a two-week term beginning the second Monday in November.
(3) Laurens County. - The court of general sessions for Laurens County shall be held at Laurens on the fourth Monday in February, the fourth Monday in May, and for a two-weeks term beginning the fourth Monday in September. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Laurens on the third Monday in March for two weeks, the second Monday in June for one week, and the fourth Monday in October for two weeks.
(4) Newberry County. - The court of general sessions for Newberry County shall be held at Newberry on the third Monday in February, the third Monday in May, the third Monday in September and the fourth Monday in November, in each case for one week. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Newberry on the fourth Monday in January, the fourth Monday in April, the third Monday in June, the third Monday in October, and the first Monday in December, in each case for one week.
SECTION 14-5-740. Terms of court in ninth circuit.
The courts of the ninth judicial circuit shall be held as hereinafter provided.
(1) Berkeley County. - The court of general sessions for Berkeley County shall be held at Moncks Corner on the second Monday in May and on the second Monday in October, in each case for one week. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Moncks Corner on the third Monday in March for one week, the second Monday in June for two weeks and on the fourth Monday in September for two weeks.
(2) Charleston County. - The court of general sessions for Charleston County shall be held at Charleston on the first Monday in January for one week, on the first Monday in March for two weeks, on the fourth Monday in May for two weeks, on the second Monday in September for two weeks, and on the first Monday in December for two weeks. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Charleston on the second Monday in January for one week for the disposal of motions, equity matters, and any other matters not requiring the attendance of a jury, on the first Monday in February for four weeks for the disposal of jury matters, on the fourth Monday in March for five weeks for jury matters, on the second Monday in July for three weeks for jury matters and on the third Monday in October for six weeks, the first of which shall be for the disposal of motions, equity matters, and any other matters not requiring the attendance of a jury, and the remaining five weeks for the disposal of jury matters.
SECTION 14-5-750. Terms of court in tenth circuit.
The courts of the tenth judicial circuit shall be held as hereinafter provided.
(1) Anderson County. - The court of general sessions for Anderson County shall be held at Anderson on the first Monday in February for two weeks, the second Monday in May for two weeks, the first Monday in September for two weeks and the third Monday in November for two weeks. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Anderson on the second Monday in January for three weeks, the second Monday in March for three weeks, the second Monday in April for two weeks, the second Monday in June for two weeks, the first Monday in October for three weeks and the first Monday in December for two weeks.
(2) Oconee County. - The court of general sessions for Oconee County shall be held at Walhalla on the fourth Monday in February, the week immediately following the May term of the court of common pleas and the first Monday in November. The court of common pleas for the county shall be at Walhalla on the third Monday in February, the fourth Monday in May and the third Monday in September.
SECTION 14-5-760. Terms of court in eleventh circuit.
The courts of the eleventh judicial circuit shall be held as hereinafter provided.
(1) Edgefield County. - The court of general sessions for Edgefield County shall be held at Edgefield on the first Monday in March, the second Monday in July, and the fourth Monday in October. The court of common pleas shall be held at Edgefield on the second Monday in March, the fourth Monday in June, and the first Monday in November. Each of these terms shall be for one week.
(2) Lexington County. - The court of general sessions for Lexington County shall be held at Lexington on the third Monday in January, the fourth Monday in May, and the Tuesday following the first Monday in September. Each term of the court of general sessions shall be for two weeks. The court of common pleas shall be held at Lexington on the first Monday in April, the third Monday in September and the fourth Monday in November. Each of the terms of the court of common pleas shall be for three weeks, except the term beginning the first Monday in April, which shall be for four weeks.
(3) McCormick County. - The court of general sessions for McCormick County shall be held at McCormick on the first Monday in February, the second Monday in February, the second Monday in June, the third Monday in June, the second Monday in October and the third Monday in October. Each term shall be for one week. If a full week during any term is not required to conclude the work of the court of general sessions, the court of common pleas shall be held for the remainder of such term.
(4) Saluda County. - The court of general sessions in Saluda County shall be held at Saluda on the fourth Monday in February, the third Monday in May and the third Monday in November. The court of common pleas shall be held immediately following each term of general sessions court as follows: on the fourth Monday in February, the third Monday in May and the third Monday in November. Each of these terms shall be for one week.
SECTION 14-5-770. Call of calendars in eleventh circuit.
The presiding judge shall call calendars two and three peremptorily on Wednesday after the opening of the court of general sessions or as soon before or thereafter as there may be time for the same and the court deems it proper in the counties of Lexington and Saluda, but in no event shall the calling of said calendars or the hearing of cases thereon be allowed to interfere with the business of the court of general sessions.
SECTION 14-5-780. Terms of court in twelfth circuit.
The courts of the twelfth judicial circuit shall be held as hereinafter provided.
(1) Marion County. - The court of general sessions for Marion County shall be held at Marion on the third Monday in February, on the third Monday in April, on the fourth Monday in June, and on the fourth Monday in October, in each case for one week. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Marion on the fourth Monday in February for one week, on the third Monday in March for one week, on the first Monday in May for one week, on the second Monday in May for one week, on the third Monday in June for one week, on the third Monday in September for one week, on the fourth Monday in September for one week and on the fourth Monday in November for two weeks.
(2) Florence County. - The court of general sessions for Florence County shall be held at Florence on the third Monday in January for one week, on the fourth Monday in January for one week, on the first Monday in March for one week, on the second Monday in March for one week, on the fourth Monday in April for one week, on the first Monday in June for one week, on the second Monday in June for one week, on the first Monday in October for one week, on the second Monday in October for one week and on the second Monday in December for one week. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Florence on the first Monday in January for one week, on the second Monday in January for one week, on the first Monday in February for one week, on the second Monday in February for one week, on the first Monday in April for one week, on the second Monday in April for one week, on the third Monday in May for one week, on the fourth Monday in May for one week, on the first Monday in September for one week, on the second Monday in September for one week, on the first Monday in November for one week and on the second Monday in November for one week. Provided, that the first day of each two-week term shall be for equity, nonjury matters and call of calendar, only.
SECTION 14-5-790. Terms of court in thirteenth circuit.
The courts of the thirteenth judicial circuit shall be held as hereinafter provided.
(1) Greenville County.--(a) The court of common pleas for Greenville County shall be held at Greenville on the fourth Monday in January for four weeks, on the fourth Monday in March with two weeks for jury trials and one week for equity cases, followed by two weeks of jury trials, on the third Monday in May for two weeks, the third Monday in June for two weeks, the second Monday in September for two weeks, the second Monday in October for two weeks and the second Monday in November with three weeks for jury trials and one week for equity cases. The court of general sessions for the county shall be held at Greenville on the second Monday in January for two weeks, the second Monday in March for two weeks, the first Monday in May for two weeks, the last Monday in August for two weeks, the fourth Monday in October for two weeks and the first Monday in December for one week.
(b) In addition to the terms of court hereinabove set forth, there shall be held additional terms of the court of common pleas for Greenville County to hear equity matters and any other nonjury matters, as follows: On the second Monday in January, for one week, on the second Monday in May, for one week, and on the first Tuesday in September, for one week.
(c) The terms of court provided for in paragraph (b) of this subsection shall be presided over by a judge other than the resident judge of the thirteenth judicial circuit or the presiding judge regularly assigned at that time to said circuit. Such judge shall be selected by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from among the regular circuit judges or the retired circuit judges or the lawyers admitted to practice in the Supreme Court. If found at any time to be unnecessary the terms of court provided for in paragraph (b) of this subsection shall be cancelled in the manner provided by law for cancellation of other terms.
(2) Pickens County. - The court of general sessions for Pickens County shall be held at Pickens on the third Monday in February for one week, the first Monday in June for one week and the fourth Monday in September for one week. The court of common pleas for said county shall be held at Pickens on the fourth Monday in February for two weeks, the second Monday in June for one week and the first Monday in October for one week.
SECTION 14-5-800. Terms of court in fourteenth circuit.
The courts in the fourteenth judicial circuit shall be held as hereinafter provided.
(1) Allendale County. - The courts of general sessions for Allendale County shall be held at Allendale on the third Monday in April for one week, on the second Monday in July for one week and on the third Monday in October for one week. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Allendale on the fourth Monday in April for two weeks and on the second Monday in November for one week.
In addition to the terms of the court of common pleas above provided for there shall be terms of such court during each of the weeks in which there are fixed terms of court for the court of general sessions, and immediately upon the conclusion of the business of the court of general sessions the court of common pleas shall open, and the petit jurors drawn to serve in the court of general sessions shall serve as petit jurors in the court of common pleas, and at such terms any and all business may be transacted as may be done at any other term of the court of common pleas.
(2) Beaufort County. - The courts of general sessions for Beaufort County shall be held at Beaufort on the first Monday in March for one week, on the third Monday in June and continuing until the Saturday before the second Monday in July and on the third Monday in November for one week. The courts of common pleas for the county shall be held at Beaufort on the third Monday in January and continue until the Saturday before the first Monday in February, on the third Monday in March and continue until the Saturday before the first Monday in April, on the third Monday in June as soon as the court of general sessions shall have concluded during the remainder of the term, on the third Monday in July for two weeks, on the second Monday in September for one week and on the first Monday in November for one week.
(3) Colleton County. - The courts of general sessions for Colleton County shall be held at Walterboro on the second Monday in January for one week, on the first Monday in April for two days, on the second Monday in June for one week and on the third Monday in September for one week. The courts of common pleas for the county shall be held at Walterboro on Wednesday following the first Monday in April for the remainder of the week, on the second Monday in April for one week, on the fourth Monday in May for one week, on the fourth Monday in October and continue until the Saturday before the first Monday in November and on the second Monday in December for one week. At the court of general sessions to be held on the second Monday in January of each year at Walterboro the court may dispose of equity cases, motions, demurrers and nonjury matters arising in any of the several counties of the fourteenth judicial circuit.
(4) Hampton County. - The courts of general sessions for Hampton County shall be held at Hampton on the third Monday in February, on the first Monday in June and on the second Monday in October, in each case for one week. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Hampton on the first Monday in February for two weeks, the second Monday in March for one week, immediately upon the conclusion of the business of the court of general sessions in June for the remainder of the week and on the fourth Monday in September and continue until the Saturday before the second Monday in October.
(5) Jasper County. - The courts of general sessions for Jasper County shall be held at Ridgeland on the fourth Monday in February, the third Monday in May, and the fourth Monday in November, in each case for one week. The courts of common pleas for the county shall be held at Ridgeland as soon as the courts of general sessions shall have concluded, except that during the week commencing the third Monday in November there shall be no regular term of the court of common pleas. There shall also be terms of the court of common pleas for the county on the second Monday in May and the first Monday in December, in each case for one week, and the Tuesday following the first Monday in September for the remainder of the week.
SECTION 14-5-810. Terms of court in fifteenth circuit.
The courts of the fifteenth judicial circuit shall be held as hereinafter provided.
(1) Horry County. The Court of General Sessions for Horry County shall be held at Conway on the second Monday in January for one week, on the first Monday in March for two weeks, on the first Monday in June for two weeks, and on the first Monday in October for two weeks. The Court of Common Pleas for Horry County shall be held at Conway on the first Monday in January for one week, on the first Monday in February for two weeks, on the first Monday in April for two weeks, on the first Monday in May for two weeks, on the first Monday in September for two weeks, on the first Monday in November for one week, and on the third Monday in November for two weeks, and on the second Monday in December for one week.
(2) Georgetown County. The Court of General Sessions for Georgetown County shall be held at Georgetown on the third Monday in March for one week, on the third Monday in June for one week, on the third Monday in September for one week and on the first Monday in December for one week. The Court of Common Pleas for Georgetown County shall be held at Georgetown on the third Monday in January for two weeks, on the third Monday in February for two weeks, on the fourth Monday in March for one week, on the third Monday in April for two weeks, on the third Monday in May for one week, on the fourth Monday in September for one week, on the third Monday in October for two weeks, and on the second Monday in November for one week. Provided, however, that beginning on the fourth Monday in March and September, the court of general sessions may be concurrently held with the court of common pleas for a period of one week.
SECTION 14-5-820. Terms of court in sixteenth circuit.
The courts of the sixteenth judicial circuit shall be held for a term of one week, unless otherwise specified, as hereinafter provided.
(1) Union County. - The court of common pleas for Union County shall be held at Union on the second Monday of February for two weeks, on the first Monday of May for two weeks, on the first Monday of September for two weeks, and on the first Monday of December. The court of general sessions shall be held at Union the fourth Monday of February, the third Monday of May, the third Monday of September and the second Monday of December.
(2) York County. - The court of common pleas for York County shall be held at York the fourth Monday of January, the fifth Monday of January when there is a fifth Monday, the third Monday in March for two weeks, the third Monday in April for two weeks, the first Monday in June for two weeks, the third Monday in July, the first Monday in October for two weeks, the first Monday in November for two weeks, and the fifth Monday in November when there is a fifth Monday. The court of general sessions shall be held at York on the first Monday in January for three weeks, the first Monday in February, the first Monday in March for two weeks, the first Monday in April for two weeks, the fourth Monday in May, the third Monday in June for two weeks, the fourth Monday in July, the fourth Monday in September, the fifth Monday in September when there is a fifth Monday, the third Monday in October for two weeks, the third Monday in November for two weeks, and the third Monday in December.
ARTICLE 9.
SPECIAL SESSIONS OF CIRCUIT COURTS
SECTION 14-5-910. Special session may be ordered when public interest so requires.
Whenever the public interest shall require the holding of a special session of the court of general sessions or the court of common pleas in any county of the State and such fact satisfactorily appears (a) by petition of the solicitor of the judicial circuit in which such county is situate in the case of the court of general sessions or (b) by petition of a majority of the members of the bar of such county in the case of the court of common pleas, such petitions having been first approved by the resident circuit judge or the circuit judge last presiding in such county and duly filed with the clerk of the Supreme Court, a special session of the court of general sessions or common pleas may be ordered for any such county by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The special session of court so ordered shall be held at such time and for such term and such notice of the holding thereof shall be given as may be provided in the order therefor, which shall be transmitted to and filed by the clerk of court of the county.
SECTION 14-5-920. Calling of special session by presiding judge; designation of judge to hold court.
Whenever it shall satisfactorily appear to any circuit judge that the public interest requires the holding of a special session of the court of general sessions or common pleas in any county in which he is at the time presiding over the court then in session such circuit judge may order a special session of the court of general sessions or common pleas to be held for such county at such time and for such term and such notice of the holding thereof shall be given as he may by order provide, which order shall be entered upon the records of the clerk of such court. And when such special session is so ordered only the circuit judge ordering the same shall hold the court, unless he be incapacitated to do so because of his illness or the illness of some member of his immediate family or because of any other reason considered sufficient in the opinion of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and in that event the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall order some other disengaged circuit judge or special judge to hold such court.
SECTION 14-5-930. Call of special terms by resident judge; designation of judge to hold court.
The resident judge of each judicial circuit in this State shall have the same right and power at chambers to order special terms of the circuit court, general sessions and common pleas, as is by this article given to presiding judges. Such courts, when ordered, shall be held by the resident judge unless another judge is assigned to hold the same by the Chief Justice as provided in Section 14-5-920 for presiding judges, and such courts, when ordered, shall be governed by the same procedure as other courts called pursuant to this article and subject to all its provisions.
SECTION 14-5-940. Matters which may be considered at special session of general sessions; automatic removal of pending cases not tried.
At any special session of the court of general sessions provided for and held under the provisions of this article all cases duly docketed shall be subject to trial and all processes, writs and recognizances of every kind, whether respecting juries, witnesses, bail or otherwise, which relate to the cases to be tried at the special session shall be considered as belonging to such session in the same manner as if they had been issued or taken in reference thereto. And all cases pending for trial at any special session of the court which are not tried or otherwise disposed of shall at the close thereof be considered as of course removed to the next stated term of court.
SECTION 14-5-950. Cause will be tried at special session of common pleas only if previously docketed; exception.
At any special session of the court of common pleas provided for and held under the provisions of this article no cause shall be tried unless the same shall have been previously docketed upon some one of the calendars of the last preceding regular term of court; provided, that any cause may be docketed and tried by mutual consent of attorneys of record of such cause.