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Priority Of Courts Memo

The 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

Date: 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