SC SUPREME COURT ORDERS RESTRICTIONS FOR 8 DECEMBER HEARING
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Public not allowed in courtroom
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Hearing to be live-streamed
On yesterday, 18 October 2021, the Clerk of the Court, of the South Carolina Supreme Court issued the protocols for the church case hearing scheduled for December 8, 2021.
THE PUBLIC WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE COURTROOM. I telephoned the Clerk's office this morning and was told the public will not be allowed inside the courtroom during the hearing. (This is part of the SCSC protocols for COVID-19.)
According to the Clerk's directive of yesterday:
---The hearing will be at 9:30 a.m., 8 December 2021, in the SCSC courtroom.
---The Episcopal side will be allowed 25 minutes for presentation. The Anglican side will then be allowed 25 minutes for presentation. Finally, the Episcopal side will be given 10 minutes for rebuttal. (In all hearings, the justices interrupt the lawyers for questions and discussion, so the time for presentation is not entirely for presentation.)
---Each side is limited to 2 lawyers in the courtroom, for a total of 4 lawyers in the room.
---Each side must submit the names of its two lawyers to the Clerk by November 1, 2021.
---The hearing will be livestreamed. Find it at this address: www.sccourts.org/SCvideo . An audio recording will also be made.
---Lawyers may enter the SC building no earlier than 10 minutes before the hearing. Lawyers entering will be screened for COVID-19.
---Masks must be worn at all times on the property of the SCSC.
---Lawyers must use hand sanitizers at podium and restrooms.
The Clerk's letter of yesterday was addressed to three lawyers: Bert Utsey, of Charleston; Alan Runyan, of Beaufort; and Harry Easterling, Jr., of Bennettsville. Apparently, Utsey will be the lead for the Episcopal side and Runyan for the Anglican side. We should know on 1 November who the four presenting lawyers will be.
