SC · rules
S.C. R. Magis. Ct. 13
Conduct of Trial; Jury Trials; Witnesses; Subpoenas
(a) Trials should be conducted in an informal manner and the South Carolina Rules of Evidence shall
apply but shall be relaxed in the interest of justice. In the trial of a civil action, in which one or both
parties are unrepresented by legal counsel, the court shall question the parties and witnesses in order
to assure that all claims and defenses are fully presented.
(b) Notice of the fact that court personnel will explain to all parties the procedure of the magistrates
court and will assist them, if such assistance is required, to fill out all forms that may be necessary or
appropriate shall be conspicuously posted in the magistrates office in the following form:
NOTICE TO ALL PARTIES IN CIVIL ACTIONS
THIS OFFICE WILL EXPLAIN THE PROCEDURE OF THE COURT, AND WILL HELP YOU PREPARE
PAPERS RELATED TO YOUR ACTION, IF THE COURT DETERMINES SUCH HELP IS REQUIRED.
(c) If either party wants a jury trial, it must be requested in writing at least five (5) working days prior to
the original date set for trial.
(d) All testimony shall be given under oath or affirmation.
(e) The court shall have the power to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses. The
court may issue a subpoena, signed but otherwise in blank, to a party requesting it, who shall
complete it before service. An attorney as officer of the court may also issue and sign a subpoena on
behalf of a court in which the attorney is authorized to practice.
Provenance
- Source
- www.sccourts.org
- Retrieved
- 2026-10-02
- Edition
- supplied-sc-06-print-version-2026-10-02
- Content hash
a7c270b2b90b19a62b292c595da12ad160e84cb820345808413f0a9278979a75
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