State courts (both trial and appellate courts) usually have local rules of court that include detailed requirements for proceedings in the court—including the assignment of cases to judges, filing and serving documents, securing hearings before the court, and communicating with opposing parties and court personnel.

And federal courts (United States district courts and courts of appeals) also frequently prescribe local rules governing practice and procedure in their courts. Such rules must be consistent with both Acts of Congress and the Federal Rules of Practice and Procedure, and may only be prescribed after notice and an opportunity for public comment. A federal court's authority to prescribe local rules is governed by both statute and the Federal Rules of Practice and Procedure. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 2071(a)-(b); Fed. R. App. P. 47; Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9029; Fed. R. Civ. P. 83; Fed. R. Crim. P. 57.

State and federal courts usually post local rules on their websites.

In South Carolina, both state and federal courts operate under specific local rules that govern the procedural aspects of legal proceedings. These rules cover a range of topics, including case assignment, document filing and service, hearing scheduling, and communication protocols with opposing parties and court staff. For state courts, these local rules are designed to complement the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure and are tailored to the needs and practices of the individual courts. On the federal level, the United States district courts and courts of appeals in South Carolina must ensure that their local rules are in harmony with Acts of Congress and the Federal Rules of Practice and Procedure. The federal courts are required to provide public notice and an opportunity for comment before implementing any local rules, as mandated by 28 U.S.C. §§ 2071(a)-(b) and various Federal Rules including Fed. R. App. P. 47, Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9029, Fed. R. Civ. P. 83, and Fed. R. Crim. P. 57. Both state and federal courts typically make their local rules available on their official websites, offering accessibility to attorneys and the public.