Terms Used In South Carolina Code 58-31-57

  • Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
Wholesale and retail customers of the Public Service Authority and electric cooperatives that are indirect customers of the Public Service Authority may bring suit against Public Service Authority directors asserting a breach of any duty arising under §§ 58-31-55 and 58-31-56. If it is proved that a director violated the provisions of § 58-31-55 or § 58-31-56, he is subject to liability under the same theories of liability as for a breach of duty by a corporate director pursuant to Title 33 and South Carolina common law. Liability under this section shall be limited to disgorgement of any ill-gotten gain and damages of not more than fifty thousand dollars per occurrence and reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. If the customer prevails, the court may also grant appropriate equitable relief and may award reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. Any remedy granted or damages awarded pursuant to this section do not relieve a director from criminal liability or preclude criminal prosecution.