FINAL BILL REPORT

                           ESSB 5157

                          C 341 L 93

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Increasing statutory attorneys' fees.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Hargrove and Nelson)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

BACKGROUND:

Parties in a civil lawsuit may recover attorney's fees.  Attorney's fees may be awarded by way of contractual agreement, by court decision or by statute.

In civil cases involving sums under $10,000, state statutes allow for attorney's fees in the amount of $50 to the prevailing party, unless otherwise provided.

To obtain the statutory award of attorney's fees, the debt recovery or judgment obtained by the prevailing party must be at least $25, exclusive of the costs of bringing the lawsuit.  These cases are generally tried in district court.

Statutory attorney's fees in cases involving sums over $10,000, which are generally tried in superior court, are $125.

SUMMARY:

Statutory attorney's fees in cases involving less than $10,000 shall be $125, provided the judgment amount is for $50 or more.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    49   0

House     96   0    (House amended)

Senate             (Senate refused to concur)

House              (House refused to recede)

Senate    41   4    (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 25, 1993