Group III: Pleadings and Motions · Last amended May 2, 2022 · Last verified July 13, 2026
In one sentenceRule 11 requires every pleading, motion, or paper to be signed by an attorney or the party, certifies by that signature that it has a good-faith basis, requires movants to confer before filing most motions, and authorizes sanctions for violations.
(a)Signature. Every pleading, motion or other paper of a party represented by an attorney shall be signed in his individual name by at least one attorney of record who is admitted to practice law in South Carolina, and whose address and telephone number shall be stated. A party who is not represented by an attorney shall sign his pleading, motion or other paper and state his address. Except when otherwise specifically provided by rule or statute, pleadings need not be verified or accompanied by affidavit. The written or electronic signature of an attorney or party constitutes a certificate by him that he has read the pleading, motion or other paper; that to the best of his knowledge, information and belief there is good ground to support it; and that it is not interposed for delay.
All motions filed shall contain an affirmation that the movant's counsel prior to filing the motion has communicated, orally or in writing, with opposing counsel and has attempted in good faith to resolve the matter contained in the motion, unless the movant's counsel certifies that consultation would serve no useful purpose, or could not be timely held. There is no duty of consultation on motions to dismiss, for summary judgment, for new trial, or judgment NOV, or on motions in Family Court for temporary relief pursuant to Family Court Rule 21, or in real estate foreclosure cases, or with pro se litigants.
If a pleading, motion or other paper is not signed or does not comply with this Rule, it shall be stricken unless it is signed promptly after the omission is called to the attention of the pleader or movant. If a pleading, motion, or other paper is signed in violation of this Rule, the court, upon motion or upon its own initiative, may impose upon the person who signed it, a represented party, or both, an appropriate sanction, which may include an order to pay to the other party or parties the amount of the reasonable expenses incurred because of the filing of the pleading, motion or other paper, including a reasonable attorney's fee.
(b)Change of Attorney. An attorney may be changed by consent, or upon cause shown, and upon such terms as shall be just, upon application, by order of the Court, and not otherwise. Written notice of change of attorney must be served as provided by Rule 5.
(c)Affidavits and Verifications. Affidavits or verifications authorized or permitted under these Rules shall be written statements or declarations by a party or his attorney of record or of a witness, sworn to or affirmed before an officer authorized to administer oaths, that the affiant knows the facts stated to be true of his own knowledge, except as to those matters stated on information and belief and as to those matters that he believes them to be true. When a corporation is a party the verifications may be made by any officer or agent thereof. When a partnership or other unincorporated association is the party under a common name the verification may be made by a member or officer thereof. When the State or any officer thereof in its behalf is a party, verifications may be made by any person acquainted with the facts.
(d)Attorney as Surety. No attorney or other officer of the court shall become surety upon any undertaking or bond filed in any action.
Notes
Note: This Rule 11(a) is substantially the Federal Rule, with one addition, that the pleadings must be signed by the party or, if he has an attorney, by an attorney who practices in the State. Important as this change is, it is not as significant as the Rule itself, which eliminates the verification of pleadings and places on the lawyer who signs a pleading the duty of good faith in preparing the pleading. The lawyer may be disciplined if he violates this duty. This version of Rule 11(a) is not nearly so stringent as the latest version of the Federal Rule which became effective August 1, 1983; but it represents a substantial forward step in lawyer responsibility.
Note to 1986 Amendment: The amendment to Rule 11(a) makes explicit that the certification requirement applies to all motions or papers filed by the attorney or party. The requirement that an attorney of record must be a resident or maintain an office in the State is deleted. The conditions under which a person may appear of record are more properly within the exclusive power of the Supreme Court to govern the admission to practice, rather than a matter of trial court procedure.
Note to 1989 Amendment: The amendment to Rule 11(a) requires that a movant make a "good faith" effort to resolve any dispute before filing a motion and to so certify in the motion unless the consultation would serve no useful purpose or could not be timely held. This is similar to the Local Federal Rule. As in the Local Federal Rule, there is no duty to consult with pro se litigants, or about certain motions. Consultation may be oral or written. The change makes clear that the court may impose sanctions for violations of this Rule and replaces the ambiguous language that "an attorney may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action." The change is more consistent with the language on sanctions for discovery abuse. The amendment does not change the standard for imposing sanctions which remains that of the pre-1983 Federal Rule.
Note to 1993 Amendment: Rule 11(a) was amended to add a requirement that the signer of pleadings include his telephone number.
Note to 2016 Amendment: This amendment clarifies that the electronic signature of an attorney or party may only be used in E-Filed pleadings, motions or other papers. Note to 2022 Amendment Based on the adoption of Rule 614 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules, which permits a party to sign a pleading using an electronic signature, the provision restricting the use of electronic signatures to E- Filed pleadings has been deleted from the rule.
Note: This Rule 11(b) retains the requirements of Circuit Court Rule 7, and represents no change in State or Federal practice.
Note: Rules 11(c) and 11(d) are added to the Federal Rule to preserve the requirements of Code § 15-1-240, and Circuit Court Rule 9.
Note to 1986 Amendment: Rule 11(c) is amended to permit an employee of an attorney to probate affidavits or verifications on pleadings or other papers, although a deposition cannot be taken before such employee under Rule 28(c).
Amendment History
Last amended by Order dated May 2, 2022.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 11(a) makes a signature do real work. An attorney signs in an individual capacity and lists an address and phone number; an unrepresented party signs personally. The signature certifies that the signer has read the paper, believes in good faith that there's ground to support it, and isn't filing it to cause delay. Most pleadings no longer need to be verified or supported by affidavit — the signature carries that weight instead. The rule also requires a movant's attorney to have conferred with opposing counsel in good faith before filing most motions, unless consultation would serve no purpose or couldn't happen in time; that consultation requirement doesn't apply to motions to dismiss, summary judgment motions, new trial or JNOV motions, certain Family Court motions, foreclosure cases, or matters involving pro se litigants.
An unsigned paper, or one that doesn't meet the rule's requirements, gets struck unless it's signed promptly once the defect is pointed out. A paper signed in violation of the rule can draw sanctions against the signer, the represented party, or both — potentially including an order to cover the other side's reasonable expenses and attorney's fees.
The remaining subsections cover related mechanics. Rule 11(b) requires a court order (and written notice under Rule 5) before an attorney of record can be changed. Rule 11(c) describes how affidavits and verifications get sworn — before an officer authorized to administer oaths, by a corporate officer or agent for a corporation, by a member or officer for a partnership or association, and by anyone familiar with the facts when the State is a party. Rule 11(d) bars any attorney or court officer from acting as surety on a bond filed in a case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does signing a pleading certify?
Under Rule 11(a), the signature certifies the signer read the document, believes in good faith there is ground to support it, and isn't filing it to cause delay.
Do I have to talk to opposing counsel before filing a motion?
For most motions, yes. Rule 11(a) requires a good-faith attempt to confer before filing, though motions to dismiss, for summary judgment, for new trial or JNOV, certain Family Court motions, foreclosure matters, and cases involving pro se litigants are excused from that requirement.
What happens if I forget to sign a pleading?
Rule 11(a) requires the court to strike it, unless it gets signed promptly after someone points out the omission.
Can a court sanction a party for a paper signed in violation of Rule 11?
Yes. The court may sanction the signer, the represented party, or both, including ordering payment of the other side's reasonable expenses and attorney's fees.
Do pleadings need to be verified under oath?
Generally no. Rule 11(a) eliminates the verification requirement except where a specific rule or statute calls for it.
Can an attorney act as surety on a bond in a case they're handling?
No. Rule 11(d) bars any attorney or other officer of the court from becoming surety on a bond filed in the action.
Source & verification. Rule text, official Notes, and amendment
history are reproduced verbatim from the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure,
adopted by the Supreme Court of South Carolina. Last verified July 13, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:duty to confer before motionsigning pleadings requirementRule 11 sanctions South Carolinaattorney certification pleading