State guide
South Carolina
This is general information, not legal advice. South Carolina's magistrate courts are the courts that hear many smaller civil disputes. Section 22-3-10 of the code gives magistrates concurrent civil jurisdiction in several kinds of cases. The ones with a dollar line include actions on contracts for the recovery of money only, if the sum claimed does not exceed $7,500; actions for damages for injury to rights in the person or in personal or real property, if the damages claimed do not exceed $7,500; and actions for a penalty, fine, or forfeiture, when the amount does not exceed $7,500. Concurrent means a higher court may also have jurisdiction. Magistrate court is the practical forum for a claim inside those lines. There is a magistrate in every county.
Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Which court hears it
- Magistrate court
- Dollar limit we could verify
- South Carolina Code section 22-3-10 says magistrates have concurrent civil jurisdiction in contract actions for money, in actions for damages to person or property, and in actions for a penalty, fine, or forfeiture, when the amount does not exceed $7,500.
- Statute or court page
- Official page →
- Filing or self-help page
- Official page →
The section continues past the three dollar sentences. Read the rest of 22-3-10 for landlord-tenant matters and other civil subjects that may not use the same $7,500 sentence. A possessory case can have a different grant of jurisdiction than a simple money claim. Use the magistrate's claim-and-delivery or ejectment forms when the clerk says the case is that kind of case. The $7,500 figure in the contract and damages paragraphs is 'does not exceed,' so a claim of $7,500 fits those paragraphs and a claim of $7,500.01 does not. State the sum claimed or the damages claimed as its own number.
Magistrate court is less formal than circuit court. People often appear without lawyers. You still have to prove the contract or the injury. Bring the writing, estimates, and photos. Service is handled by the method the magistrate's office uses, often a constable. File in the county and the magisterial district that has venue. The code and the court's local information together answer where. The South Carolina Judicial Branch site lists magistrate courts. The code site is the authority for the $7,500 lines. If a later amendment changes section 22-3-10, the code page controls.
A magistrate's civil judgment can be appealed to the circuit court under the appeal statutes. This directory does not state the number of days, because section 22-3-10 does not. Read the judgment paper and the appeal statute. Collection is a separate request, such as an execution the magistrate can issue when the statutes allow. If your contract claim or your damages exceed $7,500, circuit court is the court of general jurisdiction. Do not file the same dispute twice, once in each court. Concurrent jurisdiction is a choice of one proper court, not an invitation to two lawsuits.
Official resources in South Carolina
Statute stating magistrate civil jurisdiction, including the $7,500 contract and damages lines.
Official code, including Title 22 on magistrates.
Court site for magistrate-court locations.
Key facts for South Carolina
- South Carolina magistrate courts hear smaller civil cases.
- Section 22-3-10 sets a $7,500 line for contract money claims.
- It sets a $7,500 line for specified damage claims.
- It sets a $7,500 line for a penalty, fine, or forfeiture.
- The jurisdiction is concurrent with other courts.
- Circuit court is the court of general jurisdiction for larger claims.
What to do next
- State the sum claimed or the damages as a number that does not exceed $7,500.
- Read the rest of section 22-3-10 if the case is about possession of property.
- File in the correct magisterial district, not just the correct county.
- Choose one court. Concurrent jurisdiction is not a reason to file twice.
Looking for your city or county in South Carolina?
We haven't found official court-level pages for South Carolina we can verify yet, so we don't show local numbers here rather than guess. Here's what to use instead, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above. It applies across South Carolina, but cities and counties can add their own steps, fees or deadlines.
- Call to confirm Ask the official office. They have the current local rule, fee and form.South Carolina Judicial Branch
Website →Phone not shown: use the contact page on the official website above.Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the South Carolina page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us and include a link to the official page. We check every tip before it goes up.
Helpful guides
- What small claims court is
- How dollar limits work
- Who can sue and be sued
- A demand letter before you file