Master-in-Equity

Mission

South Carolina Law establishes the Master-in-Equity Court in each County. The Equity Court is a division of Circuit Court. The Master-in-Equity, as Judge of the Equity Court, is entitled to all the benefits and subject to all the requirements of the South Carolina Court and Family Court Judges. The Master-in-Equity may hear any civil non-jury matter referred to the Equity Court from Circuit Court by consent of the parties involved or pursuant to court order. Additionally, the Master-in-Equity serves as a Special Circuit Judge on an ad hoc basis to hear civil non-jury and other matters.

The Richland County Master-in-Equity is a revenue-generating office. The Master-in-Equity collects fees in actions for partitions, foreclosures of liens upon property, supplemental proceedings by judgment creditors, deed preparations and receives a commission on sales of land. Funds collected by the Master or on deposit in an interest bearing account and are turned over to the General Fund of Richland County. 

General Information

Masters are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the General Assembly for a term of six years. They may serve in a full or part-time capacity and are compensated by the county governing body. Masters-In-Equity have jurisdiction in matters referred to them by the Circuit Courts. They have the power and authority of the Circuit Court sitting without a jury, to regulate all proceedings in every hearing before them, and to perform all acts and take all measures necessary or proper for the efficient performance of their duties under the order of reference. This includes the power to rule on all motions, require the production of evidence, rule upon the admissibility of evidence, and call witnesses and examine them under oath. Masters may also conduct sales under certain circumstances. There are currently 22 Masters-In-Equity. Act 55 of 1999 and Rule 53, SCRCP, altered the appeals process or final judgments. Instead of going to the Circuit Court these appeals will now go to the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals as provided by the Appellate Court rules. 

Department Function

Equity Court handles non-jury cases over $7,500. The Master-in-Equity Court provides a relatively quick and inexpensive means of litigation resolution for civil, non-jury matters. However, parties may not initiate action in the Master-in-Equity Court. Only cases assigned by the Court of Common Pleas through an Order of Reference signed by a Circuit Court Judge may be heard by the Master-in-Equity.

Additional Resources and Services

Master In Equity Court Rosters

Public Court Records Search

Links to External Resources and Services

South Carolina Bar

South Carolina Judicial Department

Contact

Address:
Richland County Central Court
2500 Decker Blvd.
Courtroom 1
Columbia SC 29206 (Click for Map)

Office Hours
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Telephone: (803) 576-1900
Fax: (803) 576-1865

Judge Stephanie N. Lawrence

Judge Stephanie N. Lawrence was born in 1974 in Vicksburg, Mississippi. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Mississippi State University in 1997 before relocating to Columbia where she earned Master’s and Education Specialist degrees in Counselor Education from the University of South Carolina in 1999. Judge Lawrence began her career journey as a school guidance counselor at Newberry High School in Newberry, South Carolina. 

In 2003 she transitioned to law and attended the University of South Carolina School of Law, where she was number one ranked among the Order of Barristers and captain of the national moot court team. Upon her graduation in 2006, Judge Lawrence practiced with Boykin & Davis law firm where she represented school districts, higher education institutions, and small municipalities in various areas of civil litigation.  Judge Lawrence transitioned to worker’s compensation defense in 2011 representing employers and insurance providers in statewide practice before the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission. She was a shareholder with Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C. 

In 2020 Judge Lawrence left private practice and contracted as an administrative hearing officer presiding over matters before the South Carolina Department of Education. She also served as General Counsel and the Director of Policy and Legal Services with the South Carolina School Boards Association until her appointment as Master-In-Equity for Richland County in March 2025.  

Judge Lawrence is admitted to practice in all state courts, the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.