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On December 5, 2025, South Carolina civil practice saw significant changes that are aimed at streamlining the legal process and increasing efficiency in the state's court system. The changes come after years of complaints about the slow and cumbersome nature of the civil litigation process in South Carolina.One of the major changes is the implementation of new rules governing discovery in civil cases. The new rules limit the scope of discovery and require parties to cooperate in exchanging information in a timely manner. This is expected to reduce the time and cost associated with the discovery process, which has been a major source of delays in civil cases.Another key change is the introduction of mandatory mediation in certain civil cases. Under the new rules, parties will be required to attend mediation before proceeding to trial. This is intended to encourage parties to resolve their disputes outside of court, saving time and money for all involved.Additionally, the South Carolina Supreme Court has established a new specialized court division to handle complex civil cases. This division will consist of judges with extensive experience in handling complex litigation, such as business disputes and class action lawsuits. The goal of this new division is to ensure that complex cases are handled more efficiently and effectively.Overall, these changes are expected to make the civil litigation process in South Carolina more efficient and cost-effective for all parties involved. By streamlining the legal process and encouraging alternative dispute resolution methods, the state hopes to improve access to justice and reduce the burden on its court system. Only time will tell if these changes will have the desired impact on civil practice in South Carolina.