The Supreme Court of South Carolina
RE: Appointment of Lee County Interim Chief Magistrate
ORDER
I FIND THAT Sumter County Chief Magistrate and Interim Lee County Chief Magistrate Kathy L. Ward will resign March 14, 2011, leaving Lee County without an interim chief magistrate. By Order dated February 12, 2010, Sumter County Magistrate George R. Gibson currently has limited jurisdiction in Lee County.
The judges of the summary courts of South Carolina being a part of the uniform statewide judicial system and pursuant to the provisions of Section 4, Article V, South Carolina Constitution,
IT IS ORDERED that, on March 14, 2011, and upon the resignation of Sumter County Chief Magistrate Kathy L. Ward, Sumter County Magistrate George R. Gibson is designated as Interim Chief Judge for Administrative Purposes of the Summary Courts for Lee County. Judge Gibson is authorized to conduct Lee County judicial matters in Sumter County, if necessary. His authority as Lee County Chief Judge for Administrative Purposes shall include, but not be limited to, the administrative purposes and acts set forth in my Order dated December 30, 2010, designating Chief Judges and Associate Chief Judges statewide. The County of Lee is to provide the necessary facilities and staff to assist in this endeavor, provide reasonable compensation to Judge George R. Gibson as Chief Judge for Administrative Purposes, and reimburse him for his reasonable expenses.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, upon the effective date of this Order, Sumter County Magistrate George R. Gibson is vested with full magisterial jurisdiction in Lee County. Until March 14, 2011, Sumter County Magistrate George R. Gibson shall act in Lee County and Sumter County pursuant to this Order only as directed by current Interim Lee County Chief Magistrate Kathy L. Ward or the Chief Justice.
This Order is effective immediately and remains in effect unless amended or revoked by subsequent order of the Chief Justice. Nothing herein affects the Order of the Chief Justice dated February 12, 2010, granting Sumter County Magistrate George R. Gibson and Joseph B. Davis, Jr. with specified authority to act in Sumter and Lee County on behalf of the Lee County magisterial system.
| s/Jean Hoefer Toal Jean Hoefer Toal Chief Justice |
February 28, 2011
Columbia, South Carolina