Archives > 1976 South Carolina Code of Laws - Previous Versions > 2003 Session > Title 14

This statutory database is current through the 2003 Regular Session of the South Carolina General Assembly. Changes to the statutes enacted by the 2004 General Assembly, which will convene in January 2004, will be incorporated as soon as possible. Some changes enacted by the 2004 General Assembly may take immediate effect. The State of South Carolina and the South Carolina Legislative Council make no warranty as to the accuracy of the data, and users rely on the data entirely at their own risk.




SECTION 14-2-10. Abolition of single county and multi-county family courts, juvenile courts, domestic relations courts, and juvenile and domestic relations courts.

All single county and multi-county family courts, juvenile courts, domestic relations courts, juvenile and domestic relations courts, shall be abolished on July 1, 1977, and the jurisdiction of such courts devolved upon the statewide family court system as established by this title.

SECTION 14-2-20. Service of judges of abolished courts as masters-in-equity, standing masters or special referees.

Any judge of a court abolished pursuant to the provisions of Section 14-2-10 who also served as master-in-equity, standing master or special referee shall unless elected family court judge continue to serve as such master or special referee until July 1, 1979. If such judge is elected family court judge, a vacancy in such office shall exist and shall be filled as provided by law.

SECTION 14-2-30. When jurisdictions of certain courts abolished.

Any court inferior to the circuit court which has other jurisdiction in addition to its jurisdiction which is granted to the family courts as provided by Section 14-2-10 shall continue to have such other jurisdiction, including civil, criminal, or both, until July 1, 1979.

SECTION 14-2-40. Jurisdiction, duties and functions of magistrate and municipal courts unaffected.

Except as provided in Section 22-3-10, the provisions of 1976 Act No. 690, as codified in this title and elsewhere in this Code, shall not affect the jurisdiction, duties or functions of the magistrate and municipal courts of this State.

SECTION 14-2-50. Time when certain courts and offices shall be abolished.

County courts and other similar courts with jurisdiction inferior to the circuit courts and the office of standing master shall be abolished on July 1, 1979, and the jurisdiction of the office devolved upon the unified court system; provided, however, that such county courts, other courts of similar jurisdiction and the office of standing master shall be continued pursuant to Section 22 of Article V of the Constitution until July 1, 1979, subject, however, to the provisions of Article XI, Section 2 of 1976 Act No. 690; provided, further, that the General Assembly prior to July 1, 1979, shall provide sufficient judicial manpower to assure adequate staffing for the unified court system as provided by this act. The offices of master-in-equity and special referee shall continue to be a part of the judicial system.

SECTION 14-2-60. Transition of abolished courts into unified judicial system.

The Supreme Court by rule or order shall provide for the transition into the unified judicial system of the jurisdiction of those courts abolished by the provisions of this act and for the assignment of cases pending at such time.