promissory estoppel claim in South Carolina

2024We clarify today that—except in a case seeking specific performance of a land transfer, see Satcher v. Satcher, 351 S.C. 477, 483 , 570 S.E.2d 535, 538 (Ct. App. 2002)—a promissory estoppel claim need only be proven by the greater weight of the evidence.

2024We clarify today that—except in a case seeking specific performance of a land transfer, see Satcher v. Satcher, 351 S.C. 477, 483 , 570 S.E.2d 535, 538 (Ct. App. 2002)—a promissory estoppel claim need only be proven by the greater weight of the evidence.

2025Rescue Prod., Inc. v. Richardson, 411 S.C. 371, 378 , 769 S.E.2d 237, 240 (2015) ("This [c]ourt will reverse the trial court's ruling only where there is no evidence to support the ruling or it is controlled by an error of law."); id. at 379 , 769 S.E.2d at 241 (explaining that one of the elements of a promissory estoppel claim is the existence of "an unambiguous promise by the promisor").

2025Rescue Prod., Inc. v. Richardson, 411 S.C. 371, 378 , 769 S.E.2d 237, 240 (2015) ("This [c]ourt will reverse the trial court's ruling only where there is no evidence to support the ruling or it is controlled by an error of law."); id. at 379 , 769 S.E.2d at 241 (explaining that one of the elements of a promissory estoppel claim is the existence of "an unambiguous promise by the promisor").

2022The court granted the promissory estoppel claim, but remanded for a calculation of damages because "[t]he verdict did not take into account certain admitted benefits derived by [Higgins] from wages paid to employees and expenses for equipment during the period in question." Id. at 666-67 , 281 S.E.2d at 470 .

2022The court granted the promissory estoppel claim, but remanded for a calculation of damages because "[t]he verdict did not take into account certain admitted benefits derived by [Higgins] from wages paid to employees and expenses for equipment during the period in question." Id. at 666-67 , 281 S.E.2d at 470 .

2024See Futch v. McAllister Towing of Georgetown, Inc., 335 S.C. 598, 613 , 518 S.E.2d 591, 598 (1999) (noting a reviewing court need not address remaining issues when resolution of a prior issue is dispositive).

2024See Futch v. McAllister Towing of Georgetown, Inc., 335 S.C. 598, 613 , 518 S.E.2d 591, 598 (1999) (noting a reviewing court need not address remaining issues when resolution of a prior issue is dispositive).

2022In order to establish a promissory estoppel claim, a claimant must demonstrate: "(1) the presence of a promise unambiguous in its terms; (2) reasonable reliance upon the promise by the party to whom the promise is made; (3) the reliance is expected and foreseeable by the party who makes the promise; and (4) the party to whom the promise is made must sustain injury in reliance on the promise." Satcher v. Satcher, 351 S.C. 477, 483-84 , 570 S.E.2d 535, 538 (Ct. App. 2002) (quoting Woods v. State, 314 S.C. 501, 505 , 431 S.E.2d 260, 263 (Ct. App. 1993)).

2022In order to establish a promissory estoppel claim, a claimant must demonstrate: "(1) the presence of a promise unambiguous in its terms; (2) reasonable reliance upon the promise by the party to whom the promise is made; (3) the reliance is expected and foreseeable by the party who makes the promise; and (4) the party to whom the promise is made must sustain injury in reliance on the promise." Satcher v. Satcher, 351 S.C. 477, 483-84 , 570 S.E.2d 535, 538 (Ct. App. 2002) (quoting Woods v. State, 314 S.C. 501, 505 , 431 S.E.2d 260, 263 (Ct. App. 1993)).

2022"The applicability of the doctrine depends on whether the refusal to apply it 'would be virtually to sanction the perpetration of a fraud or would result in other injustice.'" Id. at 484, 570 S.E. 2d at 538 (quoting Citizens Bank v. Gregory's Warehouse, Inc., 297 S.C. 151, 154 , 375 S.E.2d 316, 318 (Ct. App.1988)).

2022"The applicability of the doctrine depends on whether the refusal to apply it 'would be virtually to sanction the perpetration of a fraud or would result in other injustice.'" Id. at 484, 570 S.E. 2d at 538 (quoting Citizens Bank v. Gregory's Warehouse, Inc., 297 S.C. 151, 154 , 375 S.E.2d 316, 318 (Ct. App.1988)).

2022In Powers Construction Co. v. Salem Carpets, Inc., 283 S.C. 302, 305-06 , 322 S.E.2d 30, 32-33 (Ct. App. 1984), the court considered the issue of a contractor's bid in reliance on a subcontractor's bid.

2022In Powers Construction Co. v. Salem Carpets, Inc., 283 S.C. 302, 305-06 , 322 S.E.2d 30, 32-33 (Ct. App. 1984), the court considered the issue of a contractor's bid in reliance on a subcontractor's bid.

2020See Kirksey v. Keith, 32 S.C.

2019Rescue Prods., Inc. v. Richardson, 411 S.C. 371, 379-80 , 769 S.E.2d 237, 241 (2015) ("The elements of promissory estoppel are (1) an unambiguous promise by the promisor; (2) reasonable reliance on the promise by the promisee; (3) reliance by the promisee was expected by and foreseeable to the promisor; and (4) injury caused to the promisee by his reasonable reliance."); Straight v. Goss, 383 S.C. 180, 192 , 678 S.E.2d 443, 449 (Ct. App. 2009) (noting that an appellate court, in reviewing findings of fact made in an equity matter, is "not required to disregard the findings of the trial judge w

2019Rescue Prods., Inc. v. Richardson, 411 S.C. 371, 379-80 , 769 S.E.2d 237, 241 (2015) ("The elements of promissory estoppel are (1) an unambiguous promise by the promisor; (2) reasonable reliance on the promise by the promisee; (3) reliance by the promisee was expected by and foreseeable to the promisor; and (4) injury caused to the promisee by his reasonable reliance."); Straight v. Goss, 383 S.C. 180, 192 , 678 S.E.2d 443, 449 (Ct. App. 2009) (noting that an appellate court, in reviewing findings of fact made in an equity matter, is "not required to disregard the findings of the trial judge w