South Carolina § 14-11-20 - Appointment of master-in-equity; term.

§ 14-11-20. Appointment of master-in-equity; term.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2-19-110, masters-in-equity must be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the General Assembly for a term of six years and until their successors are appointed and qualify. No person is eligible to hold the office of master-in-equity who is not at the time of his appointment a citizen of the United States and of this State, has not attained the age of thirty-two years upon his appointment, has not been a licensed attorney for at least eight years upon his appointment, has not been a resident of this State for five years immediately preceding his appointment, and has not been found qualified by the Judicial Merit Selection Commission.

Each master-in-equity of this State qualifies by taking the oath required by the Constitution of this State before a justice of the Supreme Court, a judge of the Court of Appeals, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, a circuit judge, the Clerk of the Supreme Court, a clerk of the court of common pleas, or a probate judge of the county and immediately enters upon his duties. The oath must be filed in the office of the Secretary of State.

A full-time master-in-equity is prohibited from engaging in the practice of law. A part-time master-in-equity may practice law but is prohibited from appearing before another master-in-equity. A standing master-in-equity may not serve as the probate judge of any county.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 15-1808; 1952 Code SECTION 15-1808; 1942 Code SECTION 3680; 1932 Code SECTION 3687; Civ. C. '22 SECTION 2224; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 1375; Civ. C. '02 SECTION 968; G. S. 784; R. S. 838; 1898 (22) 694; 1899 (33) 85; 1901 (26) 675; 1979 Act No. 164, Part II SECTION 3, eff July 1, 1979; 1988 Act No. 678, Part II, SECTION 4, eff January 1, 1989; 1996 Act No. 391, Part V, SECTION 5, eff June 4, 1996; 1997 Act No. 35, SECTION 5, eff May 21, 1997.