15-6-77(b). Trials and hearings--Orders in chambers.All trials upon the merits shall be conducted in open court and so far as convenient in a regular courtroom. All other acts or proceedings may be done or conducted by a judge in chambers, without the attendance of the clerk or other court officials and at any place either within or without the circuit; but no hearing, other than one ex parte, shall be conducted outside the circuit without the consent of all parties affected thereby. Source: SDC 1939 & Supp 1960, §33.1401; SD RCP, Rule 77 (b), as adopted by Sup. Ct. Order March 29, 1966, effective July 1, 1966.
South Dakota Legal Code