When a party who files a lawsuit unreasonably delays moving the lawsuit toward a resolution (delays prosecution of the case), it is presumed the case has been abandoned, and the court may dismiss the lawsuit for want of prosecution. Such a dismissal for want of prosecution is commonly referred to as a DWOP. A party may ask the court to dismiss a case for want of prosecution, or the judge may do so without a request from a party (sua sponte).
In South Carolina, if a party who has filed a lawsuit fails to actively pursue the case, it may be presumed that the case has been abandoned. This can lead to the court dismissing the lawsuit for want of prosecution, often abbreviated as DWOP. The dismissal for lack of prosecution can occur either through a motion by the opposing party or by the court on its own initiative (sua sponte). The court's decision to dismiss a case for want of prosecution is typically based on the specific circumstances, such as the length of the delay and whether the party has ignored court orders or deadlines. It is intended to prevent undue delays in the legal process and to ensure that cases are resolved in a timely manner. State statutes and rules of civil procedure outline the specific grounds and procedures for such dismissals.