CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- The chief justice of South Carolina has received an award from a regional group that aims to protect and improve the nation's trial court system.

The Supreme Court said Monday that Chief Justice Jean Toal received the 2011 Jurist of the Year Award given by the Southeastern Region of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Toal was honored during the organization's weekend meeting in Charleston.

The gathering included seminars on successful mediations and judicial ethics.

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