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On December 6, 2025, the South Carolina Supreme Court made significant changes to the state's civil practice rules that will have far-reaching effects on the legal landscape in the state. The changes, which were announced in a press release from the court, are aimed at streamlining the civil litigation process and promoting efficiency in the courts.One of the most significant changes is the adoption of mandatory mediation in civil cases. Under the new rules, parties in civil cases will be required to participate in mediation before their case can proceed to trial. This new requirement is intended to encourage parties to settle their disputes outside of court, which can help reduce the burden on an already overburdened court system.Additionally, the court announced changes to the rules governing discovery in civil cases. The new rules impose stricter deadlines for discovery responses and limit the scope of discovery requests, in an effort to prevent parties from engaging in overly burdensome and time-consuming discovery tactics.Another important change is the introduction of electronic filing in civil cases. Under the new rules, all documents filed in civil cases must be submitted electronically, rather than in paper form. This change is expected to streamline the filing process and make it easier for parties and attorneys to access and manage case documents.In addition to these changes, the court also announced updates to the rules governing motions practice, case management, and other aspects of civil litigation. The overall goal of these changes is to make the civil justice system in South Carolina more efficient, cost-effective, and accessible to all parties.The announcement of these changes has been met with mixed reactions from the legal community. Some attorneys and judges have praised the court for taking steps to improve the civil justice system, while others have raised concerns about the potential impact of the changes on their practices.Overall, the changes to the civil practice rules in South Carolina represent a significant shift in the way civil litigation is conducted in the state. It remains to be seen how these changes will be implemented and what impact they will have on the legal community and the courts.