Bill > H4667

This bill makes several amendments to South Carolina magistrates court laws, primarily focusing on expanding their civil jurisdiction and procedural capabilities. The bill increases the maximum amount for civil cases that magistrates can hear from $7,500 to $74,500, covering a wide range of actions including contract disputes, property damage claims, penalties, attachments, and landlord-tenant matters. It also adds a new provision allowing appellate courts to proceed as if a magistrate has died, become incapacitated, or is absent if the magistrate fails to comply with certain statutory reporting requirements. Additionally, the bill increases filing assessments in magistrates court, raising the assessment on summons and complaint filings from $25 to $50, while maintaining the $10 fee for other civil filings. These changes are designed to modernize and expand the jurisdiction of magistrates courts, potentially reducing the burden on higher-level courts and providing more accessible judicial options for civil disputes with lower monetary stakes. The bill will take effect upon the Governor's approval.

Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=4667&session=126&summary=B