Opinion
August 21, 2003.
O R D E R
Pursuant to Article V, § 4, of the South Carolina Constitution, we hereby amend Rule 31(f) of the Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement to (1) emphasize that attorneys appointed pursuant to Rule 31(a), RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR, to protect the interests of clients in attorney disciplinary matters are, with the exception of basic costs set forth in the rule, expected to serve without compensation as a service to the legal profession; (2) give this Court the discretion to award additional costs in certain situations and to determine a reasonable amount to be awarded; (3) set forth the current rates which the Court has determined are reasonable for attorney's fees, support staff and copies; and (4) provide that costs awarded by the Court are to be paid by the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection only if there are not sufficient funds remaining in the lawyer's accounts. Finally, the rule is amended to give this Court the ability to order the lawyer to reimburse the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection at any time. These amendments shall be effective immediately. A copy of the rule, as amended, is attached.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Jean H. Toal C.J.s/ James E. Moore J.s/ John H. Waller, Jr. J.s/ E. C. Burnett, III J.s/ Costa M. Pleicones J.