Comprehensive guide to South Carolina's courts, bar association, law schools, and legal services.
13,000+
Practicing in state5
Justices (10-year terms)16
Circuit court districts2
ABA-accreditedThe South Carolina Bar regulates legal practice and ensures professional standards for attorneys.
South Carolina has a unified judicial system with the Supreme Court at the top, a Court of Appeals, and circuit courts serving 16 judicial districts.
| Court | Details |
|---|---|
| Supreme Court | 5 justices (Chief + 4 Assocs), elected by General Assembly |
| Court of Appeals | Appellate jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases |
| Circuit Courts | 16 judicial districts, general trial jurisdiction |
| Family Courts | Family law, custody, domestic issues |
| Other Courts | Magisterial, Municipal, Probate courts |
U.S. District Court (South Carolina): Federal civil and criminal jurisdiction | Bankruptcy Court: Bankruptcy proceedings | Fourth Circuit: Appellate authority
Over 13,000 licensed attorneys serve in diverse practice areas throughout South Carolina.
South Carolina has two ABA-accredited law schools.
Free and low-cost legal assistance available to low-income South Carolinians.
Statewide civil legal assistance | Phone: 1-888-346-5592
Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton counties | Community volunteer attorneys
Contact the South Carolina Bar Lawyer Referral Service at scbar.org, search Justia's directory, or contact county bar associations.
Graduate from ABA-accredited law school, pass the South Carolina bar exam, demonstrate moral character, and meet fitness requirements.
Yes. South Carolina Legal Services provides free civil legal help to low-income individuals statewide. Lowcountry Legal Volunteers also offer services in coastal counties.
Two: University of South Carolina School of Law (Columbia, #66 ranking) and Charleston School of Law (established 2003).
South Carolina is one of only two states where the legislature (General Assembly) elects state court judges, including Supreme Court justices, serving 10-year terms.
Supreme Court (5 justices), Court of Appeals, Circuit Courts (16 districts), Family Courts, and specialized courts (Municipal, Magisterial, Probate).
U.S. District Court for South Carolina, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, and Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals handle federal cases.
Visit sccourts.org for state court information or contact specific court clerk offices for details on procedures and schedules.
Download forms from sccourts.org for court-specific documents. For DIY legal forms (wills, contracts, incorporation), use LegalZoom, Nolo, or Standard Legal software platforms.
South Carolina requires 14 hours of CLE annually, including 2 hours of ethics/professional responsibility. New attorneys must complete additional professionalism requirements.
USA Law and Legal Resources > South Carolina Legal Resources
Last updated on November 27, 2025