(a) Discovery. The E-Filing System shall not be used for the electronic exchange of discovery materials and other communications between the parties that are not intended to be filed with the court. (b) Citation. These Policies and Guidelines may be cited as follows: Section __, SCEF. (c) Courtesy Copies. The court shall not require parties to furnish courtesy paper copies of E-Filed documents.(d) Request to Correct Data Entry Error. A party or an attorney for a party may seek to correct an alleged data entry error in case information entered in the E-Filing System or the Case Management System Public Index by filing a written request with the Clerk of Court in the county in which the case was filed. (1) A request may only be filed where a party asserts a data entry error, such as a clerical error or scrivener's error, occurred during entry of case or event information in the Case Management System or the E-Filing System. Examples include circumstances where the names of parties were correctly set forth in pleadings, but were incorrectly entered by the E-Filer or the Clerk of Court electronically. Other examples include the incorrect selection of a filing event by the E-Filer or the Clerk of Court.(2) No request may be filed as a means to amend a filed pleading, order, or other document. Where a party believes a pleading or order of the court contains an error that requires amendment, the party may seek to amend the pleading or order or request other relief in accordance with the SCRCP. (3) Requests to Correct Data Entry Errors shall be processed as follows: (A) The party or an attorney for a party shall file a Request to Correct Data Entry Error on a Form approved by the Supreme Court. The request shall contain a brief description of the data entry error and the specific correction that is requested. (B) If the request properly alleges a data entry error under paragraph (d)(1) of this section, the Clerk of Court shall, within ten days, make the requested correction and file a Response to the Request to Correct Data Entry Error on a Form prescribed by the Supreme Court.(C) If the request does not properly allege a data entry error under paragraph (d)(1) of this section, the Clerk of Court shall, within ten days, file a Response to the Request to Correct Data Entry Error declining to make the correction on a Form prescribed by the Supreme Court. (D) Where it is unclear whether the request properly alleges a data entry error under paragraph (d)(1) of this section, the Clerk of Court shall refer the matter to the Chief Judge for Administrative Purposes or other judge involved in the matter for a determination of whether the change is appropriate. (E) A party who believes the Clerk of Court has erroneously declined to correct a data entry error in accordance with this section may seek relief from the court.(e) Construction. These Policies and Guidelines shall be liberally construed to ensure substantial justice for all parties, and that cases are disposed of on the merits. (f)Adding Parties. An Authorized E-Filer may E-File a document on behalf of a person or entity who is not a party to an existing case by utilizing the E-Filing function that electronically adds the person or entity as a party to the case record. Authorized E-Filers may not utilize this function to add a party where a motion to intervene, motion to join a party, motion to substitute a party, motion to amend, or any other motion is required under the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure or statute. An Authorized E-Filer must include a document, such as an answer, response, or other pleading in any submission. Examples of proper use of the function include, but are not limited to: (1) a motion to quash a subpoena filed on behalf of a non-party;(2) initial filings made on behalf of insurers in cases involving underinsured motorist coverage;(3) filings made on behalf of third party bidders in foreclosure matters;(4) filings made by attorney guardians ad litem.S.C. Com'n Pleas Elec. Fil'g Pol. & Guid. 11
Amended by order dated 10/12/2017, effective immediately.