Rule 54. Judgments: Costs

• Library: South Carolina Rules Annotated (SCBar) (2019 Ed.)

RULE 54. JUDGMENTS: COSTS

(a) Definition; Form.

"Judgment" as used in these rules includes any decree or order which dismisses the action as to any party or finally determines the rights of any party. A judgment need not contain a recital of pleadings, the report of a master, or the record of prior proceedings.

(b) Judgment Upon Multiple Claims or Involving Multiple Parties.

When more than one claim for relief is presented in an action, whether as a claim, counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim, or when multiple parties are involved, the court may direct the entry of a final judgment as to one or more but fewer than all of the claims or parties only upon an express determination that there is no just reason for delay and upon an express direction for the entry of judgment. In the absence of such determination and direction, any order or other form of decision, however designated, which adjudicates fewer than all the claims or the rights and liabilities of fewer than all the parties shall not terminate the action as to any of the claims or parties, and the order or other form of decision is subject to revision at any time before the entry of judgment adjudicating all the claims and the rights and liabilities of all the parties.

(c) Demand for Judgment.

A judgment by default shall not be different in kind from or exceed in amount that prayed for in the demand for judgment. Except as to a party against whom a judgment is entered by default, every final judgment shall grant the relief to which the party in whose favor it is rendered is entitled, even if the party has not demanded such relief in his pleadings.

(d) Costs.

Except when express provision therefor is made either in a statute or in these rules, costs shall be allowed as of course to the prevailing party unless the court otherwise directs; but costs against the State, its officers, and agencies shall be imposed only to the extent permitted by law. A motion for costs, supported by an affidavit that the costs are correct and were necessarily incurred in the action, may be filed by the prevailing party within 10 days of the receipt of written notice of the entry of final judgment. Upon notice that the matter has been appealed, the clerk may delay the taxation of costs until the appeal is completed. A party who prevails for the first time on appeal may file a motion for costs, as provided herein, within 10 days of written notice of the entry of the final judgment after appeal. After an appeal, the clerk shall include the costs incurred in the appeal as taxable costs as provided in Rule 58(b). Costs may be taxed by the clerk on one day's notice. On motion served within 10 days after receipt of notice, the action of the clerk may be reviewed by the court. Upon allowance, the costs shall be included in the judgment or decree.

(e) Taxable Costs.

Taxable costs shall include:

(1) Costs Authorized by Statute and Sanctions Imposed in Favor of Prevailing Party. All sanctions including reasonable attorneys fees, if ordered, imposed upon another party and in favor of the prevailing party under any statute or Rule of Civil Procedure are taxable;

(2) Fees of the Clerk. All filing and recording fees charged by the clerk of the court in which the action was pending, or fees or costs taxed under Rule 222, SCACR, are taxable;

(3) Fees of the Sheriff. All fees and costs chargeable by the sheriff for service of summons and complaint, or subpoenas for trial witnesses who testified at trial or for the production of documents and materials actually used at trial, and all costs actually incurred by the sheriff in serving other process necessarily required in the case, including costs incurred attaching property, in caring for property attached, or in conducting the sale of attached property, including any bond, guarantee, sales commissions or insurance premiums, if required, are taxable;

(4) Fees Incurred in...