You are here

Judge Transition Information

Thursday, June 16, 2022

On June 26, 2022, the term of Judge John E. Waites will conclude upon his retirement. At or before that time, cases assigned to Judge Waites will be reassigned to Judge David R. Duncan (Charleston) or Judge Helen E. Burris (Columbia) as previously indicated in the Court’s May 31 announcement. Regardless of case assignment, any judge may cover hearings for the other, and, by agreement, on a case-by-case basis or by category, the judges may vary from this assignment as necessary to carry out the transition or to address conflicts. As of June 27, 2022, the bulk of pending and new cases will be assigned to Judge Duncan and Judge Burris. The assignment of a full caseload in Charleston to Judge Gasparini is anticipated within approximately 30 days after her appointment, and she may handle select cases in any division prior to that time. At a later date, the judges will assess whether cases in other divisions should be reassigned to equalize caseloads.

Please consult the case docket prior to action, as it will indicate any change in judge assignment. Note that filings should be made and served, and hearings scheduled following the procedures, noticing practices, requirements, and chambers guidelines of the judge that, at the time of the scheduling of a hearing or the filing of any pleading or document, is assigned to the case. Specifically note that when filing or modifying a Chapter 13 plan you should refer to SC LBR 3015-2 for the appropriate notice form for the assigned judge, which provides a plan objection deadline of 7 days prior to the confirmation hearing for Judges Duncan and Burris. If you have already filed, served, and/or noticed for a hearing a pleading or document under Judge Waites’ procedures, and thereafter the case is reassigned, there is no need to re-notice or reschedule. However, from the date the case is reassigned as reflected on the case’s docket, all filings should be made and served, and hearings scheduled following the procedures, noticing practices, requirements, and chambers guidelines of the judge that is assigned to the case. It is anticipated that hearings will proceed as scheduled without disruption regardless of any change in judge assignment. Please consult the instructions for scheduling hearings in July and August posted at www.scb.uscourts.gov under the Court Information, then Self Scheduling Calendars tabs.