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On March 7, 2026, South Carolina announced a new mediation program aimed at reducing the backlog of cases in the state's court system. The program, which will be administered by the South Carolina Bar Association, is set to launch next month and will offer mediation services to individuals involved in civil disputes.The program comes at a time when courts in South Carolina are facing a significant backlog of cases, exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. According to data from the South Carolina Judicial Department, the backlog has been steadily increasing over the past two years, with some cases taking months or even years to be resolved.The goal of the mediation program is to provide an alternative to traditional court proceedings, allowing parties to resolve their disputes in a more timely and cost-effective manner. Under the program, trained mediators will work with both parties to help them reach a mutually acceptable resolution. If an agreement is reached, it can be formalized and submitted to the court for approval.In a statement, South Carolina Bar Association President Melissa Johnson praised the new program, saying, "Mediation has been proven to be an effective tool for resolving disputes outside of the courtroom. By offering this service to individuals in South Carolina, we hope to alleviate some of the strain on our overloaded court system."The program is open to individuals involved in civil disputes, including landlord-tenant conflicts, small claims cases, and disputes over contracts or property. Participation in the program is voluntary, and parties must agree to mediate before moving forward with the process.The South Carolina Bar Association will be working with local mediators and court officials to implement the program, with plans to expand it to other areas of the state in the future. Officials hope that the mediation program will help reduce the backlog of cases in South Carolina courts and provide a faster, more efficient way for individuals to resolve their disputes.