WSR 07-13-029

RULES OF COURT

STATE SUPREME COURT


[ June 7, 2007 ]

IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS TO CR 10, CRLJ 10, CR 45, CR 45 FORM, CR 53.4, CR 54, CR 78, NEW GR 14.1, CrR 4.4, CrRLJ 4.4, CrR 4.7, CrR 7.8, RAP 10.4, RALJ 7.3, GR 33 AND RAP 9.5 )

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ORDER

NO. 25700-A-875


     The Rules Committee having recommended the adoption of the proposed amendments to CR 10, CRLJ 10, CR 45, CR 45 FORM, CR 53.4, CR 54, CR 78, New GR 14.1, CrR 4.4, CrRLJ 4.4, CrR 4.7, CrR 7.8, RAP 10.4, RALJ 7.3, GR 33 AND RAP 9.5, and the Court having considered the amendments and comments submitted thereto, and having determined that the proposed amendments will aid in the prompt and orderly administration of justice;

     Now, therefore, it is hereby

     ORDERED:

     (a) That the amendments as attached hereto are adopted.

     (b) That the amendments will be published in the Washington Reports and will become effective September 1, 2007.

     DATED at Olympia, Washington this 7th day of June, 2007.
     Alexander, C. J.


     C. Johnson, J.


     Chambers, J.


     Madsen, J.


     Owens, J.


    


     Fairhurst, J.


     Bridge, J.


     J. M. Johnson, J.



SUPERIOR COURT CIVIL RULES (CR)

CR 10. FORM OF PLEADINGS AND OTHER PAPERS



     (a) - (e) [Unchanged.]

     (f) Personal Identifiers Prohibited. [Reserved. See GR 31(e).]

     (g) Unpublished Opinions. [Reserved. See GR 14.1.]



RULES FOR APPEAL OF DECISIONS OF COURTS OF LIMITED JURISDICTION (CRLJ)

RULE 10. FORM OF PLEADINGS



     (a) - (c) [Unchanged.]

     (d) Personal Identifiers Prohibited. [Reserved. See GR 31(e).]

     (e) Unpublished Opinions. [Reserved. See GR 14.1.]



CIVIL RULES (CR)

RULE 45. Subpoena



     (a) For Attendance of Witnesses. The subpoena shall be issued as follows:

     (1) Form. To require attendance before a court of record or at the trial of an issue therein, such subpoena may be issued in the name of the State of Washington and be under the seal of the court before which the attendance is required or in which the issue is pending: Provided, That such subpoena may be issued with like effect by the attorney of record of the party to the action in whose behalf the witness is required to appear, and the form of such subpoena in each case may be the same as when issued by the court except that it shall only be subscribed by the signature of such attorney.

     (2) Issuance for Trial. To require attendance before a court of record or at the trial of an issue of fact, the subpoena may be issued by the clerk in response to a praecipe or by an attorney of record.

     (3) Issuance for Deposition. To require attendance out of such court before a judge, justice of the peace, commissioner, referee or other officer authorized to administer oaths or to take testimony in any matter under the laws of this state, it shall be issued by an attorney of record or by such judge, justice of the peace, commissioner, referee or other officer before whom the attendance is required.

     (b) For Production of Documentary Evidence. A subpoena may also command the person to whom it is directed to produce the books, papers, documents, or tangible things designated therein; but the court, upon motion made promptly and in any event at or before the time specified in the subpoena for compliance therewith, may (1) quash or modify the subpoena if it is unreasonable and oppressive or (2) condition denial of the motion upon the advancement by the person in whose behalf the subpoena is issued of the reasonable cost of producing the books, papers, documents, or tangible things.

     (c) Service. A subpoena may be served by any suitable person over 18 years of age, by exhibiting and reading it to the witness, or by giving him a copy thereof, or by leaving such copy at the place of his abode. When service is made by any other person than an officer authorized to serve process, proof of service shall be made by affidavit.

     (d) Subpoena for Taking Depositions; Place of Examination.

     (1) Authorization. Proof of service of a notice to take a deposition as provided in rules 30(b) and 31(a) constitutes a sufficient authorization for the issuance by the attorney of record or the officer taking the deposition of subpoenas for the persons named or described therein. The subpoena may command the person to whom it is directed to produce and permit inspection and copying of designated books, papers, documents, or tangible things which constitute or contain matters within the scope of the examination permitted by rule 26(b), but in that event the subpoena will be subject to the provisions of rule 26(c) and section (b) of this rule.

     The person to whom the subpoena is directed may, within 10 days after the service thereof or on or before the time specified in the subpoena for compliance if such time is less than 10 days after service, serve upon the attorney designated in the subpoena written objection to inspection or copying of any or all of the designated materials. If objection is made, the party serving the subpoena shall not be entitled to inspect and copy the materials except pursuant to an order of the court from which the subpoena was issued. The party serving the subpoena may, if objection has been made, move upon notice to the deponent for an order at any time before or during the taking of the deposition.

     (2) Place of Examination. A resident of the state may be required to attend an examination only in the county wherein he resides or is employed or transacts his business in person, or at such other convenient place as is fixed by an order of the court. A nonresident of the state may be required to attend only in the county wherein he is served with a subpoena, or within 40 miles from the place of service or at such other convenient place as is fixed by an order of the court.

     (3) Foreign Depositions for Local Actions. When the place of examination is in another state, territory, or country, the party desiring to take the deposition may secure the issuance of a subpoena or equivalent process in accordance with the laws of such state, territory or country to require the deponent to attend the examination.

     (4) Local Depositions for Foreign Actions. When any officer or person is authorized to take depositions in this state by the law of another state, territory or country, with or without a commission, a subpoena to require attendance before such officer or person may be issued by any judge or justice of the peace of this state for attendance at any places within his jurisdiction.

     (e) Subpoena for Hearing or Trial. [Reserved. See RCW 5.56.010.]

     (f) Contempt. Failure by any person without adequate excuse to obey a subpoena served upon him may be deemed a contempt of the court from which the subpoena issued.

     (g) When Excused. A witness subpoenaed to attend in a civil case is dismissed and excused from further attendance as soon as he has given his testimony in chief and has been cross-examined thereon, unless either party moves in open court that the witness remain in attendance and the court so orders; and witness fees will not be allowed any witness after the day on which his testimony is given, except when the witness has in open court been required to remain in further attendance, and when so required the clerk shall note that fact in the minutes.

     (a) Form; Issuance.

     (1) Every subpoena shall:

     (A) state the name of the court from which it is issued;

     (B) state the title of the action, the name of the court in which it is pending, and its case number;

     (C) command each person to whom it is directed to attend and give testimony or to produce and permit inspection and copying of designated books, documents or tangible things in the possession, custody or control of that person, or to permit inspection of premises, at a time and place therein specified; and

     (D) set forth the text of subsections (c) and (d) of this rule.

     (2) A subpoena for attendance at a deposition shall state the method for recording the testimony.

     (3) A command to a person to produce evidence or to permit inspection may be joined with a command to appear at trial or hearing or at deposition, or may be issued separately. A party may be compelled to produce evidence at a deposition or permit inspection only in accordance with rule 34.

     (4) A subpoena may be issued by the court in which the action is pending under the seal of that court or by the clerk in response to a praecipe. An attorney of record of a party or other person authorized by statute may issue and sign a subpoena, subject to RCW 5.56.010.

     (b) Service.

     (1) A subpoena may be served by any suitable person over 18 years of age by giving the person named therein a copy thereof, or by leaving a copy at the place of such person's abode. When service is made by any other person other than an officer authorized to serve process, proof of service shall be made by affidavit.

     (2) A subpoena commanding production of documents and things, or inspection of premises, without a command to appear for deposition, hearing or trial, shall be served on each party in the manner prescribed by rule 5(b). Such service shall be made no fewer than five days prior to service of the subpoena on the person named therein, unless the parties otherwise agree or the court otherwise orders for good cause shown. A motion for such an order may be made ex parte.

     (c) Protection of Persons Subject to Subpoenas.

     (1) A party or an attorney responsible for the issuance and service of a subpoena shall take reasonable steps to avoid imposing undue burden or expense on a person subject to that subpoena. The court shall enforce this duty and impose upon the party or attorney in breach of this duty an appropriate sanction, which may include, but is not limited to, lost earnings and a reasonable attorney's fee.

     (2)(A) A person commanded to produce and permit inspection and copying of designated books, papers, documents or tangible things, or inspection of premises need not appear in person at the place of production or inspection unless commanded to appear for deposition, hearing or trial.

     (B) Subject to subsection (d)(2) of this rule, a person commanded to produce and permit inspection and copying may, within 14 days after service of the subpoena or before the time specified for compliance if such time is less than 14 days after service, serve upon the party or attorney designated in the subpoena written objection to inspection or copying of any or all of the designated materials or of the premises. If objection is made, the party serving the subpoena shall not be entitled to inspect and copy the materials or inspect the premises except pursuant to an order of the court by which the subpoena was issued. If objection has been made, the party serving the subpoena may, upon notice to the person commanded to produce and all other parties, move at any time for an order to compel the production. Such an order to compel production shall protect any person who is not a party or an officer of a party from significant expense resulting from the inspection and copying commanded.

     (3)(A) On timely motion, the court by which a subpoena was issued shall quash or modify the subpoena if it:

     (i) fails to allow reasonable time for compliance;

     (ii) fails to comply with RCW 5.56.010 or subsection (e)(2) of this rule;

     (iii) requires disclosure of privileged or other protected matter and no exception or waiver applies; or

     (iv) subjects a person to undue burden, provided that the court may condition denial of the motion upon a requirement that the subpoenaing party advance the reasonable cost of producing the books, papers, documents, or tangible things.

     (B) If a subpoena

     (i) requires disclosure of a trade secret or other confidential research, development, or commercial information, or

     (ii) requires disclosure of an unretained expert's opinion or information not describing specific events or occurrences in dispute and resulting from the expert's study made not at the request of any party, the court may, to protect a person subject to or affected by the subpoena, quash or modify the subpoena or, if the party in whose behalf the subpoena is issued shows a substantial need for the testimony or material that cannot be otherwise met without undue hardship and assures that the person to whom the subpoena is addressed will be reasonably compensated, the court may order appearance or production only upon specified conditions.

     (d) Duties in Responding to Subpoena.

     (1) A person responding to a subpoena to produce documents shall produce them as they are kept in the usual course of business or shall organize and label them to correspond with the categories in the demand.

     (2) When information subject to a subpoena is withheld on a claim that it is privileged or subject to protection as trial preparation materials, the claim shall be made expressly and shall be supported by a description of the nature of the documents, communications, or things not produced that is sufficient to enable the demanding party to contest the claim.

     (e) Subpoena for Taking Deposition, Producing Documents, or Permitting Inspection.

     (1) Witness Fees and Mileage. [Reserved. See RCW 2.40.020.]

     (2) Place of Examination. A resident of the state may be required to attend an examination, produce documents, or permit inspection only in the county where the person resides or is employed or transacts business in person, or at such other convenient place as is fixed by an order of the court. A nonresident of the state may be required to attend an examination, produce documents, or permit inspection only in the county where the person is served with a subpoena, or within 40 miles from the place of service, or at such other convenient place as is fixed by an order of the court.

     (3) Foreign Proceedings for Local Actions. When the place of examination, production, or inspection is in another state, territory, or country, the party desiring to take the deposition, obtain production, or conduct inspection may secure the issuance of a subpoena or equivalent process in accordance with the laws of such state, territory, or country.

     (4) Local Depositions for Foreign Actions. When any officer or person is authorized to take depositions in this state by the law of another state, territory, or country, with or without a commission, a subpoena to require attendance before such officer or person may be issued by any court of this state for attendance at any place within its jurisdiction.

     (f) Subpoena For Hearing or Trial.

     (1) When Witnesses Must Attend - Fees and Allowances. [Reserved. See RCW 5.56.010.]

     (2) When Excused. A witness subpoenaed to attend in a civil case is dismissed and excused from further attendance as soon as the witness has given testimony in chief and has been cross-examined thereon, unless either party moves in open court that the witness remain in attendance and the court so orders. Witness fees will not be allowed any witness after the day on which the witness' testimony is given, except when the witness has in open court been required to remain in further attendance, and when so required the clerk shall note that fact.

     (g) Contempt.

     Failure by any person without adequate excuse to obey a subpoena served upon that person may be deemed a contempt of the court from which the subpoena issued. An adequate cause for failure to obey exists when a subpoena purports to require a non-party to attend a deposition, produce documents, or permit inspection at a place not within the limits provided by subsection (e)(2).

     (h) Form. A subpoena should be substantially in the form below.


Issued by the

SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

________________ COUNTY



SUBPOENA IN A CIVIL CASE
v. CAUSE NUMBER:
TO:
&lhlsqbul; YOU ARE COMMANDED to appear in the Superior Court of the State of Washington at the place, date, and time specified below to testify in the above case.
PLACE OF TESTIMONY COURTROOM
DATE AND TIME
&lhlsqbul; YOU ARE COMMANDED to appear at the place, date, and time specified below to testify at the taking of a deposition in the above case.
     Any organization not a party to this suit that is subpoenaed for the taking of a deposition shall designate one or more officers, directors, or managing agents, or other persons who consent to testify on its behalf, and may set forth, for each person designated, the matters on which the person will testify. CR 30 (b)(6).
PLACE OF DEPOSITION DATE AND TIME
&lhlsqbul; YOU ARE COMMANDED to produce and permit inspection and copying of the following documents or tangible things at the place, date, and time specified below (list documents or objects):
PLACE DATE AND TIME
&lhlsqbul; YOU ARE COMMANDED to permit inspection of the following premises at the date and time specified below.
PREMISES DATE AND TIME
ISSUING OFFICER SIGNATURE AND TITLE (INDICATE IF ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF OR DEFENDANT DATE
ISSUING OFFICER'S NAME, ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER
PROOF OF SERVICE
DATE PLACE
SERVED
SERVED ON (PRINT NAME) MANNER OF SERVICE
SERVED BY (PRINT NAME) TITLE
DECLARATION OF SERVER
     I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington that the foregoing information contained in the Proof of Service is true and correct.
Executed on
DATE/PLACE SIGNATURE OF SERVER
ADDRESS OF SERVER
CR 45, Sections (c) & (d):
(c) Protection of Persons Subject to Subpoenas. (iii) requires disclosure of privileged or other protected matter and no exception or waiver applies; or
(1) A party or an attorney responsible for the issuance and service of a subpoena shall take reasonable steps to avoid imposing undue burden or expense on a person subject to that subpoena. The court shall enforce this duty and impose upon the party or attorney in breach of this duty an appropriate sanction, which may include, but is not limited to, lost earnings and a reasonable attorney's fee. (iv) subjects a person to undue burden, provided that, the court may condition denial of the motion upon a requirement that the subpoenaing party advance the reasonable cost of producing the books, papers, documents, or tangible things.
(B) If a subpoena
(2)(A) A person commanded to produce and permit inspection and copying of designated books, papers, documents or tangible things, or inspection of premises need not appear in person at the place of production or inspection unless commanded to appear for deposition, hearing or trial. (i) requires disclosure of a trade secret or other confidential research, development, or commercial information, or (ii) requires disclosure of an unretained expert's opinion or information not describing specific events or occurrences in dispute and resulting from the expert's study made not at the request of any party, the court may, to protect a person subject to or affected by the subpoena, quash or modify the subpoena or, if the party in whose behalf the subpoena is issued shows a substantial need for the testimony or material that cannot be otherwise met without undue hardship and assures that the person to whom the subpoena is addressed will be reasonably compensated, the court may order appearance or production only upon specified conditions.
(B) Subject to paragraph (d)(2) of this rule, a person commanded to produce and permit inspection and copying may, within 14 days after service of subpoena or before the time specified for compliance if such time is less than 14 days after service, serve upon the party or attorney designated in the subpoena written objection to inspection or copying of any or all of the designated materials or of the premises. If objection is made, the party serving the subpoena shall not be entitled to inspect and copy the materials or inspect the premises except pursuant to an order of the court by which the subpoena was issued. If objection has been made, the party serving the subpoena may, upon notice to the person commanded to produce and all other parties, move at any time for an order to compel the production. Such an order to compel production shall protect any person who is not a party or an officer of a party from significant expense resulting from the inspection and copying commanded.
(d) Duties in Responding to Subpoena.
(1) A person responding to a subpoena to produce documents shall produce them as they are kept in the usual course of business or shall organize and label them to correspond with the categories in the demand.
(3)(A) On timely motion, the court by which a subpoena was issued shall quash or modify the subpoena if it: (2) When information subject to a subpoena is withheld on a claim that it is privileged or subject to protection as trial preparation materials, the claim shall be made expressly and shall be supported by a description of the nature of the documents, communications, or things not produced that is sufficient to enable the demanding party to contest the claim.
(i) fails to allow reasonable time for compliance;
(ii) fails to comply with RCW 5.56.010 or subsection (e)(2) of this rule;


SUPERIOR COURT CIVIL RULES (CR)

CR 53.4. PROCEDURES FOR MANDATORY MEDIATION OF HEALTH CARE CLAIMS



     (a) - (e) [Unchanged.]

     (f) Mediation Procedure. Promptly upon the designation of a mediator, the plaintiff shall arrange a conference call among the mediator and counsel for each party to discuss the procedural aspects of the mediation. Except to the extent the mediator directs otherwise, the following procedures shall apply:

     (1) - (8) [Unchanged.]

     (9) Certification of Mediation. Not more than 10 days after the mediation concludes or the mediator determines that the claim is not appropriate for mediation, the parties shall certify in writing to the court the manner of mediation, if any, and compliance with the provisions of this rule.

     (g) [Unchanged.]



SUPERIOR COURT CIVIL RULES (CR)

RULE 54. JUDGMENT AND COSTS



     (a) - (c) [Unchanged.]

     (d) Costs, Disbursements, Attorneys' Fees, and Expenses.

     (1) Costs and Disbursements. Costs and disbursements shall be fixed and allowed as provided in RCW 4.84 or by any other applicable statute. If the party to whom costs are awarded does not file a cost bill or an affidavit detailing disbursements within 10 days after the entry of the judgment, the clerk shall tax costs and disbursements pursuant to CR 78(e).

     (2) Attorneys' Fees and Expenses. Claims for attorneys' fees and expenses, other than costs and disbursements, shall be made by motion unless the substantive law governing the action provides for the recovery of such fees and expenses as an element of damages to be proved at trial. Unless otherwise provided by statute or order of the court, the motion must be filed no later than 10 days after entry of judgment.

     (e) - (f) [Unchanged.]



SUPERIOR COURT CIVIL RULES (CR)

CR 78. CLERKS



     (a) - (d) [Unchanged.]

     (e) Entry of Judgments and Costs. The clerk shall enter judgment or decree pursuant to the provisions of rule 58 and the same shall then be entered for the sum found due or the relief awarded, with costs and disbursements, if any, to be taxed. Entry of judgment shall not be delayed for the taxing of costs. If no cost bill is filed by the party to whom costs are awarded within 10 days after the entry of the judgment or decree, the clerk shall proceed to tax the following costs and disbursements, namely:

     (1) The statutory attorney fee;

     (2) The clerk's fee; and

     (3) The sheriff's fee; and.

     (4) Other disbursements, the amount whereof plainly appears on the papers in the case, and shall enter the sum thereof in the judgment entry and execution docket.[PARAGRAPH BREAK]

     If a cost bill is filed, he the clerk shall enter as the amount to be recovered the amount claimed in such cost bill, and no motion to retax costs shall be considered unless the same be filed within 6 days after the filing of the-cost bill.

     For purposes of this subsection (e), "cost bill" also includes an affidavit detailing disbursements.

     (f) [Unchanged.]



GENERAL RULES (GR)

[New Rule]

RULE 14.1. Citation to Unpublished Opinions



     (a) Washington Court of Appeals. A party may not cite as an authority an unpublished opinion of the Court of Appeals. Unpublished opinions of the Court of Appeals are those opinions not published in the Washington Appellate Reports.

     (b) Other Jurisdictions. A party may cite as an authority an opinion designated "unpublished," "not for publication," "non-precedential, "not precedent," or the like that has been issued by any court from a jurisdiction other than Washington state, only if citation to that opinion is permitted under the law of the jurisdiction of the issuing court. The party citing the opinion shall file and serve a copy of the opinion with the brief or other paper in which the opinion is cited.



SUPERIOR COURT CRIMINAL RULES (CrR)

RULE 4.4. SEVERENCE OF OFFENSES AND DEFENDANTS



     (a) - (b) [Unchanged.]

     (c) Severance of Defendants.

     (1) A defendant's motion for severance on the ground that an out-of-court statement of a codefendant referring to him is inadmissible against him shall be granted unless:

     (i) the prosecuting attorney elects not to offer the statement in the case in chief; or

     (ii) deletion of all references to the moving defendant will eliminate any prejudice to him from the admission of the statement.

     (2) - (4) [Unchanged.]

     (d) - (e) [Unchanged.]



CRIMINAL RULES FOR COURTS OF LIMITED JURISDICTION (CrRLJ)

RULE 4.4. SEVERENCE OF OFFENSES AND DEFENDANTS



     (a) - (b) [Unchanged.]

     (c) Severance of Defendants.

     (1) A defendant's motion for severance on the ground that an out-of-court statement of a codefendant referring to him or her is inadmissible against him or her shall be granted unless:

     (i) the prosecuting attorney elects not to offer the statement in the case in chief; or

     (ii) deletion of all references to the moving defendant will eliminate any prejudice to him or her from the admission of the statement.

     (2) - (3) [Unchanged.]

     (d) - (e) [Unchanged.]



SUPERIOR COURT CRIMINAL RULES (CrR)

RULE 4.7. DISCOVERY



     (a) Prosecutor's Obligations.

     (1) Except as otherwise provided by protective orders or as to matters not subject to disclosure, the prosecuting attorney shall disclose to the defendant the following material and information within the prosecuting attorney's possession or control no later than the omnibus hearing:

     (i) - (v) [Unchanged.]

     (vi) any record or of prior criminal convictions known to the prosecuting attorney of the defendant and of persons whom the prosecuting attorney intends to call as witnesses at the hearing or trial.

     (2) - (4) [Unchanged.]

     (b) - (h) [Unchanged.]



SUPERIOR COURT CRIMINAL RULES (CrR)

RULE 7.8. RELIEF FROM JUDGMENT OR ORDER



     (a) - (b) [Unchanged.]

     (c) Procedure on Vacation of Judgment.

     (1) Motion. Application shall be made by motion stating the grounds upon which relief is asked, and supported by affidavits setting forth a concise statement of the facts or errors upon which the motion is based.

     (2) Initial Consideration Transfer to Court of Appeals. The court may deny the motion without a hearing if the facts alleged in the affidavits do not establish grounds for relief. The court may shall transfer a motion filed by a defendant to the Court of Appeals for consideration as a personal restraint petition if such transfer would serve the ends of justice unless the court determines that the motion is not barred by RCW 10.73.090 and either (i) the defendant has made a substantial showing that he or she is entitled to relief or (ii) resolution of the motion will require a factual hearing.

     (3) Order to Show Cause. Otherwise, the court If the court does not transfer the motion to the Court of Appeals, it shall enter an order fixing a time and place for hearing and directing the adverse party to appear and show cause why the relief asked for should not be granted.



RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE (RAP)

RULE 10.4 PREPARATION AND FILING OF BRIEF BY PARTY



     (a) - (g) [Unchanged.]

     (h) Unpublished Opinions. A party may not cite as an authority an unpublished opinion of the Court of Appeals. Unpublished opinions of the Court of Appeals are those opinions not published in the Washington Appellate Reports. [Reserved. See GR 14.1.]



RULES FOR APPEAL OF DECISIONS OF COURTS OF LIMITED JURISDCTION (RALJ)

RULE 7.3 FORMAT OF BRIEFS



     (a) - (b) [Unchanged.]

     (c) Unpublished Opinions. A party may not cite as authority an unpublished opinion of a Washington appellate court, nor of any other state or federal court that is not published. A party may not cite as authority a decision of a superior court, a court of limited jurisdiction, or a decision of a commissioner of the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals. [Reserved. See GR 14.1.]



GENERAL RULES (GR)

NEW RULE 33. Requests for Accommodation by Persons with Disabilities



     (a) Definitions. The following definitions shall apply under this rule:

     (1) "Accommodation" means measures to make each court service, program, or activity, when viewed in its entirety, readily accessible to and usable by an applicant who is a qualified person with a disability, and may include but is not limited to:

     (A) making reasonable modifications in policies, practices, and procedures;

     (B) furnishing, at no charge, auxiliary aids and services, including but not limited to equipment, devices, materials in alternative formats, qualified interpreters, or readers; and

     (C) as to otherwise unrepresented parties to the proceedings, representation by counsel, as appropriate or necessary to making each service, program, or activity, when viewed in its entirety, readily accessible to and usable by a qualified person with a disability.

     (2) "Applicant" means any lawyer, party, witness, juror, or any other individual who has a specific interest in or is participating in any proceeding before any court.

     (3) "Court" means any court or other agency or body subject to the rulemaking authority of the Supreme Court.

     (4) "Person with a disability" means a person covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (§ 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), RCW 49.60 et seq., or other similar local, state, or federal laws. This term includes but is not limited to an individual who has a physical or mental impairment that limits one or more major life activities, has a documented history of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.

     (5) "Qualified person with a disability" means a person with a disability who is otherwise entitled to participate in any program, service, or activity made available by any court.

     (b) Process for Requesting Accommodation.

     (1) An application requesting accommodation may be presented ex parte in writing, or orally and reduced to writing, on a form approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts, to the presiding judge or officer of the court or his or her designee.

     (2) An application for accommodation shall include a description of the accommodation sought, along with a statement of the impairment necessitating the accommodation. The court may require the applicant to provide additional information about the qualifying impairment to help assess the appropriate accommodation. Medical and other health information shall be submitted under a cover sheet created by the Administrative Office of the Courts for use by applicants designated "SEALED MEDICAL AND HEALTH INFORMATION" and such information shall be sealed automatically. The court may order that such information be sealed if it has not previously automatically been sealed.

     (3) An application for accommodation should be made as far in advance as practical of the proceeding for which the accommodation is sought.

     (c) Consideration. A request for accommodation shall be considered and acted upon as follows:

     (1) In determining whether to grant an accommodation and what accommodation to grant, the court shall:

     (A) consider, but not be limited by, the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (§ 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), RCW 49.60 et seq., and other similar local, state, and federal laws;

     (B) give primary consideration to the accommodation requested by the applicant; and

     (C) make its decision on an individual- and case-specific basis with due regard to the nature of the applicant's disability and the feasibility of the requested accommodation.

     (2) If an application for accommodation is filed five (5) or more court days prior to the scheduled date of the proceeding for which the accommodation is sought, and if the applicant otherwise is entitled under this rule to the accommodation requested, the accommodation shall be provided unless:

     (A) it is impossible for the court to provide the requested accommodation on the date of the proceeding; and

     (B) the proceeding cannot be continued without prejudice to a party to the proceeding.

     (3) If an application for accommodation is filed fewer than five (5) court days prior to the scheduled date of the proceeding for which the accommodation is requested, and if the applicant otherwise is entitled under this rule to the accommodation requested, the accommodation shall be provided unless:

     (A) it is impractical for the court to provide the requested accommodation on the date of the proceeding; and

     (B) the proceeding cannot be continued without prejudice to a party to the proceeding.

     (4) If a requested accommodation is not provided by the court under subsection (c)(2) or (c)(3) of this rule, the court must offer the applicant an alternative accommodation.

     (d) Denial. Except as otherwise set forth in subsection (c)(2) or (c)(3) of this rule, an application for accommodation may be denied only if the court finds that:

     (1) the applicant has failed to satisfy the substantive requirements of this rule;

     (2) the requested accommodation would create an undue financial or administrative burden;

     (3) the requested accommodation would fundamentally alter the nature of the court service, program, or activity; or

     (4) permitting the applicant to participate in the proceeding with the requested accommodation would create a direct threat to the safety or well-being of the applicant or others.

     (e) Order. The court shall issue an order consistent with its decision. If the court denies a requested accommodation pursuant to section (d) of this rule, the order shall specify the reasons for the denial. If a requested accommodation is not provided by the court under subsection (c)(2) or (c)(3) of this rule, the court's order shall include a description of:

     (1) the facts and/or circumstances that make the accommodation impossible under subsection (c)(2) or impractical under subsection (c)(3); and

     (2) the reasons why the proceeding cannot be continued without prejudicing a party to the proceeding.

     The court shall inform the applicant and the court personnel responsible for implementing accommodations that the request for accommodation has been granted or denied, in whole or in part, and the nature of the accommodation to be provided, if any.

     (f) Duration of Accommodation. The accommodation ordered shall commence on the date set forth in the order granting the accommodation and shall remain in effect for the period specified in the order, which may be extended as the court deems appropriate. The court may grant an accommodation for an indefinite period or for a particular proceeding or appearance.


Comment


     Access to justice for all persons is a fundamental right. It is the policy of the courts of this state to assure that persons with disabilities have equal and meaningful access to the judicial system. Nothing in this rule shall be construed to limit or invalidate the remedies, rights, and procedures accorded to any person with a disability under local, state, or federal law.



RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE (RAP)

RULE 9.5 FILING AND SERVICE OF REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS -- OBJECTIONS



     (a) - (c) [Unchanged.]

     (d) Substitute Judge May Settle Report of Proceedings. If the judge before whom the proceedings were held is for any reason unable to promptly settle questions as provided in section (ac), another judge may act in the place of the judge before whom the proceedings were held.

     Reviser's note: The spelling errors in 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.

     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.

     Reviser's note: The typographical errors in the above material occurred in the copy filed by the State Supreme Court and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office