Current through June 4, 2026

SC-D — At a Glance

D.S.C. — Quick-reference summary of the most frequently needed rules for the District of South Carolina.

Quick-reference summary of the most frequently needed rules for the District of South Carolina.

Filing & Formatting

TopicRuleKey Detail
FormatLocal Civ. R. 1.05One-inch margins; Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier New; 12-point minimum; double-spaced (page numbers and document identification footers may be smaller than 12-point, LR 1.05(D))
Initial brief lengthLocal Civ. R. 7.05(B)(1)35 double-spaced pages
Reply brief lengthLocal Civ. R. 7.05(B)(2); 7.0715 double-spaced pages
ECF filingLocal Civ. R. 5.02Mandatory
SealingLocal Civ. R. 5.03Motion-to-seal with public notice on the docket

Motion Practice & Deadlines

TopicRuleKey Detail
Operating modelLocal Civ. R. 7Submission
Brief formatLocal Civ. R. 7.04, 7.05Formal motion track
Oral argumentLocal Civ. R. 7 regionDiscretion; *'may be determined without a hearing'*
Specific motionsLocal Civ. R. 7 regionNumbered subsections (7.04, 7.06, etc.)

Discovery & Conferences

TopicRuleKey Detail
Meet and confer scopeLocal Civ. R. 7 regionDiscovery-only
MC format(per rule)Live (in person or telephone)
Civil Pretrial BriefLocal Civ. R. 26.05At least 7 days before jury selection date
Discovery materials filingLocal Civ. R. 5.01Not filed; retained by responsible party

Summary Judgment

TopicRuleKey Detail
Statement of material facts in disputeLocal Civ. R. 7.05(A)(4)Required in opposition memorandum
Format(per rule)Disputed-facts focus (statement embedded in opposition memorandum)

Appearances & Chambers

TopicRuleKey Detail
PHVLocal Civ. R. 83.I.05Appearances by attorneys not admitted in the district
Local counsel signatureLocal Civ. R. 83.I.04Required on all pleadings
SealingLocal Civ. R. 5.03See Filing & Formatting
MediationLocal Civ. R. 16.04-16.11Structured framework
11 divisions28 U.S.C. § 121Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Aiken, Orangeburg, Greenville, Rock Hill, Greenwood, Anderson, Spartanburg, Beaufort

Compliance Traps

TopicRuleWatchpoint
Local counsel signatureLocal Civ. R. 83.I.04#1
Motion-to-seal with public noticeLocal Civ. R. 5.03#2
Numbered-subsection format(numbering convention)#3
Live conferralLocal Civ. R. 7 region#4
Pretrial brief 7-day deadlineLocal Civ. R. 26.05#5
Mediation frameworkLocal Civ. R. 16.04-16.11#6
SMF in opposition memoLocal Civ. R. 7.05(A)(4)#7
11 divisions28 U.S.C. § 121#8