Court Opinion

ID: 8292688
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-10-17 10:50:41.119672+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:43:54.686433
License: Public Domain

Harwell, Chief Justice:
The issue is whether the trial judge erred in denying appellant Otto Morton d/b/a Morton Home Builders a jury trial. We reverse and remand for trial.
I. FACTS
Respondent Builderama, Inc. instituted a collection action against appellant for the balance due on a commercial credit account. Appellant denied the allegations of the complaint, asserted a counterclaim, and demanded a jury trial. The trial judge denied appellant’s demand for a jury trial and referred the action to the master-in-equity.
II. DISCUSSION
Appellant asserts that the trial judge erred in denying him a jury trial. We agree.
Issues of fact in an action for the recovery of money must be tried by a jury, unless a jury trial be waived. Rule 38(a), SCRCP. The compulsory order of reference to the master-in*441equity deprived appellant of a mode of trial to which he is entitled as a matter of right, and thus was improper.
We hold that the trial judge erred in denying appellant a jury trial. The order of the trial judge denying appellant’s demand for a jury trial is reversed, and the case remanded for trial.
Reversed and remanded.
Chandler, Finney, Toal and Moore, JJ., concur.