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On September 18, 2025, the state of South Carolina is facing a major backlog of litigation cases due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The surge in cases has overwhelmed the court system, causing delays in trials and hearings for both civil and criminal matters.According to Chief Justice John Doe, the backlog has been exacerbated by the closure of courthouses and the postponement of jury trials during the height of the pandemic. As a result, the state's court system is now struggling to catch up, with many cases being rescheduled multiple times before they can be heard.One of the biggest challenges facing the courts is the availability of jury trials. The pandemic has made it difficult to convene juries safely, leading to a backlog of cases that require a jury trial. This has forced many judges to prioritize cases based on their urgency, leaving many litigants waiting months or even years for their day in court.In addition to jury trials, the pandemic has also impacted the ability of parties to conduct in-person hearings and depositions. Many courtrooms remain closed or have limited capacity, making it difficult for attorneys and their clients to participate in legal proceedings.The backlog of cases has not only affected the parties involved in litigation but has also put a strain on the court system as a whole. Court staff are overworked and struggling to keep up with the volume of cases, leading to delays in processing paperwork and scheduling hearings.Chief Justice Doe has called for additional resources to help alleviate the backlog, including funding for more court staff and judges. He has also urged attorneys to work together to prioritize cases and find alternative ways to resolve disputes outside of the courtroom.As South Carolina continues to grapple with the effects of the pandemic, the state's court system is facing an uphill battle to clear the backlog of cases and ensure timely access to justice for all litigants. Only time will tell how long it will take for the courts to return to normalcy and address the mounting caseload.