St. John's Episcopal Mission Center v. South Carolina Department of Social Services

Lewis, Chief Justice":

This appeal is taken from a denial of a motion for change of venue. The parties hereto for some years engaged in a contractual arrangement whereby the respondent operated certain educational programs with funding and technical assistance to be provided by the appellant. The parties agreed expressly that, at the option of the appellant, venue would lie in Richland County in any actions arising from their contractual obligations.

A dispute between the parties did in fact arise and resulted in the commencement of this action by the respondent, as plaintiff, in the circuit…