Priority of Courts Memo

Supreme Court of South Carolina TO: Members of the Judiciary Members of the Bar FROM: J. B. Ness RE: Priority Among Courts and Other Hearing Tribunals September 8, 1986

It has become apparent that the present priority system is not adequate to meet the demands of the state court schedule. I earnestly hope that cooperation among all courts will avoid the necessity to invoke the priority system; however, when conflicts arise priority shall be as follows.

(1) Supreme Court (2) Court of Appeals (3) Board of Judicial Standards Board of Grievances and Discipline Board on Character and Fitness (4) Circuit Court - General Sessions (5) Circuit Court - Common Pleas, Jury Term (6) Family Court (7) Circuit Court - Common Pleas, Non-Jury Term (8) Magistrates and Municipal Court (9) Administrative Bodies

In no event should an ongoing proceeding before a lower priority tribunal be interrupted in order to commence a proceedings before a higher priority tribunal.

Cooperation is encouraged.