IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF THE NEW GR 12.1

) )

ORDER NO. 25700-A-852

     The Washington State Bar Association having recommended the adoption of New GR 12.1, and the Court having approved the proposed new rule for publication;

     Now, therefore, it is hereby

     ORDERED:

     (a) That pursuant to the provisions of GR 9(g), the proposed new rule as attached hereto is to be published for comment in the Washington Reports, Washington Register, Washington State Bar Association and Office of the Administrator for the Court's websites expeditiously.

     (b) The purpose statement as required by GR 9(e), is published solely for the information of the Bench, Bar and other interested parties.

     (c) Comments are to be submitted to the Clerk of the Supreme Court by either U.S. Mail or Internet E-Mail by no later than 90 days from the published date. Comments may be sent to the following addresses: P.O. Box 40929, Olympia, Washington 98504-0929, or Camilla.Faulk@courts.wa.gov. Comments submitted by e-mail message must be limited to 1500 words.

     DATED at Olympia, Washington this 7th day of July, 2006.

	For the Court           Gerry L. Alexander
	CHIEF JUSTICE

GR 9 COVER SHEET

     Purpose: This proposed new General Rule (GR) 12.1 is intended to clarify and formalize the authority of the Washington State Bar Association for boards and committees created by Supreme Court rule or order which are administered by the bar association. There are currently seven boards and committees established by the Supreme Court that the WSBA is directed to administer: The State Board of Continuing Legal Education, the Disciplinary Board, the Limited Practice Board, the Character and Fitness Committee, the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection Committee, the Practice of Law Board, and the Access to Justice Board. In drafting this proposed rule, meetings were held with representatives from the Practice of Law Board and the Access to Justice Board, and their concerns were considered in adopting the language of the proposed rule.

     The proposed rule provides that for these committees and boards, the WSBA will provide and manage staff support, supervise and monitor their general functions, pay expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred pursuant to a budget approved by the Board of Governors, perform other functions and take other actions as provided in court rule or order or delegated by the Supreme Court, and take other actions as are necessary and proper to enable the board or committee to carry out its duties or functions. This proposed rule follows the current practice of the WSBA in administering these boards and committees.

     The Supreme Court has delegated to the Washington State Bar Association the authority and responsibility to administer certain boards and committees established by court rule or order. This delegation of authority includes providing and managing staff, supervising and monitoring the boards and committees and monitoring of their general functions, paying expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred pursuant to a budget approved by the Board of Governors, performing other functions and taking other actions as provided in court rule or order or delegated by the Supreme Court, or taking other actions as are necessary and proper to enable the board or committee to carry out its duties or functions.

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office