United States: South Carolina outlaws confidential settlements.

(From The Lawyer)

South Carolina's federal judges have done away with confidential legal settlements in a move that is expected to be adopted by state courts.

It is the first step of its kind and applies to settlements in a vast range of cases, from product liability to child molestation litigation.

The rule, which South Carolina's chief justice said will be adopted by other US courts, applies only to state-approved settlements, which will now be publicised in full. The rule does not apply to cases settled out of court.

Attorney William Kester, who wrote to …