{"data":{"id":"us-sc/s.c.-code-ann.-14-11-20","jurisdiction":"us-sc","citation":"S.C. Code Ann. § 14-11-20","heading":"Appointment of master-in-equity; term.","body":"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.\nEach 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.\nA 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.","path":["Title 14 - COURTS","CHAPTER 11 Masters and Referees","ARTICLE 1 General Provisions"],"source_url":"https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t14c011.php","current_through":"2025 Session of the General Assembly","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-02T06:39:39Z","sha256":"8907bbdbf906d973ba83359ea7c3503073c61d5c41d4f4e7614d9c6b2916f1c4","source_id":"us-sc","stale":false,"prev":"us-sc/s.c.-code-ann.-14-11-15","next":"us-sc/s.c.-code-ann.-14-11-30"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}