WSR 05-24-068

RULES OF COURT

STATE SUPREME COURT


[ December 1, 2005 ]

IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENT TO CR 23 )

)

ORDER

NO. 25700-A-844

     The Access to Justice Board, Legal Foundation of Washington and the Washington State Bar Association having recommended the adoption of the proposed amendment to CR 23, and the Court having determined that the proposed amendment will aid in the prompt and orderly administration of justice and further determined that an emergency exists which necessitates an early adoption;

     Now, therefore, it is hereby

     ORDERED:

     (a) That the amendment as attached hereto is adopted.

     (b) That pursuant to the emergency provisions of GR 9 (j)(1), the amendment will be published expeditiously and become effective upon publication.

     DATED at Olympia, Washington this 1st day of December 2005.
     Alexander, C.J.


     C. Johnson, J.


     Chambers, J.


     Madsen, J.


     Owens, J.


     Sanders, J.


     Fairhurst, J.


     Bridge, J.


     J. M. Johnson, J.




CIVIL RULES (CR)

RULE 23. CLASS ACTIONS

CR 23



     (a) - (e) [Unchanged.]

     (f) Disposition of Residual Funds.

     (1) "Residual Funds" are funds that remain after the payment of all approved class member claims, expenses, litigation costs, attorneys' fees, and other court-approved disbursements to implement the relief granted. Nothing in this rule is intended to limit the parties to a class action from suggesting, or the trial court from approving, a settlement that does not create residual funds.

     (2) Any order entering a judgment or approving a proposed compromise of a class action certified under this rule that establishes a process for identifying and compensating members of the class shall provide for the disbursement of residual funds. In matters where the claims process has been exhausted and residual funds remain, not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the residual funds shall be disbursed to the Legal Foundation of Washington to support activities and programs that promote access to the civil justice system for low income residents of Washington State. The court may disburse the balance of any residual funds beyond the minimum percentage to the Legal Foundation of Washington or to any other entity for purposes that have a direct or indirect relationship to the objectives of the underlying litigation or otherwise promote the substantive or procedural interests of members of the certified class.

     Reviser's note: The brackets and enclosed material in the text of the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.