WSR 23-13-056
RULES OF COURT
STATE SUPREME COURT
[June 8, 2023]
IN THE MATTER OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO GENERAL RULES (GR) 1, 12.4, AND 24
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ORDER
NO. 25700-A-1513
The Washington State Bar Association, having recommended the adoption of the proposed amendments to General Rules (GR) 1, 12.4, and 24, 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 proposed amendments as shown below are adopted.
(b) That pursuant to the emergency provisions of GR 9 (j)(1), the proposed amendments will be expeditiously published in the Washington Reports and will become effective upon publication.
dated at Olympia, Washington this 8th day of June, 2023.
 
 
Gonzalez, C.J.
Johnson, J.
 
Gordon McCloud, J.
Madsen, J.
 
Yu, J.
Owens, J.
 
Montoya-Lewis, J.
Stephens, J.
 
 
GR 1
CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FOR COURT RULES
PART I: RULES OF GENERAL APPLICATION
General Rules
GR
Code of Judicial Conduct
CJC
Discipline Rules for Judges
DRJ
Board for Judicial Administration Rules
BJAR
Admission toand Practice Rules
APR
Rules of Professional Conduct
RPC
Limited Practice Officer Rules of Professional Conduct
LPORPC
Limited License Legal Technician Rules of Professional Conduct
LLLT RPC
Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct
ELC
Rules for Enforcement of Limited Practice Officer Conduct
ELPOC
Rules for Enforcement of Limited License Legal Technician Conduct
ELLLTC
Judicial Information System Committee Rules
JISCR
Rules of Evidence
ER
PARTS II-V
[Unchanged.]
GR 12.4
WASHINGTON STATE BAR ASSOCIATION ACCESS TO RECORDS
(a)-(c) [Unchanged.]
(d) Bar RecordsRight of Access.
(1) The Bar shall make available for inspection and copying all Bar records, unless the record falls within the specific exemptions of this rule, or any other state statute (including the Public Records Act, chapter 42.56 RCW) or federal statute or rule as they would be applied to a public agency, or is made confidential by the Rules of Professional Conduct, the LLLT Rules of Professional Conduct, the LPO Rules of Professional Conduct, the Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct, the Admission toand Practice Rules and associated regulations, the Rules for Enforcement of Limited Practice Officer Conduct, the Rules for Enforcement of Limited License Legal Technician Conduct,General RuleGR 25, court orders or protective orders issued under those rules, or any other state or federal statute or rule. To the extent required to prevent an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy interests or threat to safety or by the above-referenced rules, statutes, or orders, the Bar shall delete identifying details in a manner consistent with those rules, statutes, or orders when it makes available or publishes any Bar record; however, in each case, the justification for the deletion shall be explained in writing.
(2) [Unchanged.]
(e)-(j) [Unchanged.]
GR 24
DEFINITION OF THE PRACTICE OF LAW
(a) [Unchanged.]
(b) Exceptions and Exclusions: Whether or not they constitute the practice of law, the following are permitted:
(1) Practicing law authorized by a limited license to practice pursuant to Admission toand Practice Rules 3(g) (pro bono admission), 8 (speciallimited admissions for: a particular purpose or action or proceeding; indigent representation; educational purposes; pro bono status membership; house counsel), 9 (licensed legal interns), 12 (limited practice for closing officers), or 14 (limited practice for foreign law consultants), or 28 (limited license legal technicians).
(2)-(11) [Unchanged.]
(c)-(f) [Unchanged.]