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Bill

H 4813

Magistrate court fees and costs

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Cody Mitchell and 3 co-sponsors

South Carolina bill adjusts magistrate court filing fees and costs, affecting access to justice and court funding for lower-level civil and small claims cases.

Signed By Governor
0
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Bill Summary · H 4813

Legislative bill overview

H 4813 modifies the fee and cost structure for South Carolina magistrate courts, adjusting what parties pay when filing cases or pursuing judgments in these lower-level courts. The bill appears to update existing fee schedules that haven't been revised in some time, affecting both plaintiffs bringing cases and defendants responding to them.

Why is this important

Magistrate courts handle small claims, traffic violations, and minor civil disputes that directly affect ordinary citizens. Changes to court fees can impact access to justice—higher fees may discourage legitimate claims or settlements, while lower fees affect court funding and operations. These courts process tens of thousands of cases annually across South Carolina.

Potential points of contention

  • Court funding impact: Reducing fees could strain magistrate court budgets and staffing, while increasing fees raises access-to-justice concerns for lower-income litigants
  • Disproportionate effects: Fee changes may affect small businesses and individuals differently; plaintiffs versus defendants may bear unequal cost burdens
  • Debt collection implications: If fees apply to judgment collection proceedings, changes could significantly impact debt collection practices and consumer protection dynamics

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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