Charleston, SC: Late last week, the South Carolina State Supreme Court appointed a judge to review the S.C. State Port Authority, City of Charleston and Carnival Cruise Lines “Motion to Dismiss” the lawsuit filed last June by the S.C. Coastal Conservation League, Historic Ansonborough Neighborhood Association, Charlestowne Neighborhood Association and the Preservation Society of Charleston against Carnival Cruise Lines, the most frequent violator of existing local ordinances.

This step is viewed by the plaintiffs as a welcome development….they believe that the SPA, City and Carnival probably wanted the State Supreme Court to simply dismiss the case out of hand. Instead, there will be an actual hearing at which time the judge will hear arguments and review all the pertinent documentation that has been filed.

Once the review is completed, the judge will make a recommendation to the Supreme Court which they will take under advisement. The judge is well respected and a fair hearing is anticipated.

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