Washington Superior Court Civil Rules
100 rules across 11 groups · 92 active
Washington's civil-procedure rules are called the “Superior Court Civil Rules,” cited in-state as “CR” (e.g. CR 56). Adopted by the Supreme Court of Washington and modeled closely on the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, they are organized into 11 groups, from general scope and commencement of an action through discovery, trials, judgment, provisional remedies, appeals, and general provisions. Browse the full set below, with verbatim rule text, amendment history, and a plain-English summary for every rule.
1. Introductory
Cited as Wash. Super. Ct. Civ. R. · 3 active rules · 3 in the official compilation
2. Commencement of Action
Cited as Wash. Super. Ct. Civ. R. · 6 active rules · 6 in the official compilation
3. Pleadings and Motions
Cited as Wash. Super. Ct. Civ. R. · 10 active rules · 10 in the official compilation
- Rule 7 Pleadings allowed; form of motions
- Rule 8 General rules of pleading
- Rule 9 Pleading special matters
- Rule 10 Form of pleadings and other papers
- Rule 11 Signing and drafting of pleadings, motions, and legal memoranda; Sanctions
- Rule 12 Defenses and objections
- Rule 13 Counterclaim and cross claim
- Rule 14 Third party practice
- Rule 15 Amended and supplemental pleadings
- Rule 16 Pretrial procedure and formulating issues
4. Parties
Cited as Wash. Super. Ct. Civ. R. · 11 active rules · 11 in the official compilation
- Rule 17 Parties plaintiff and defendant; capacity
- Rule 18 Joinder of claims and remedies
- Rule 19 Joinder of persons needed for just adjudication
- Rule 20 Permissive joinder of parties
- Rule 21 Misjoinder and nonjoinder of parties
- Rule 22 Interpleader
- Rule 23 Class actions
- Rule 23.1 Derivative actions by shareholders
- Rule 23.2 Actions relating to unincorporated associations
- Rule 24 Intervention
- Rule 25 Substitution of parties
5. Depositions and Discovery
Cited as Wash. Super. Ct. Civ. R. · 12 active rules · 12 in the official compilation
- Rule 26 General provisions governing discovery
- Rule 27 Perpetuation of testimony
- Rule 28 Persons before whom depositions may be taken
- Rule 29 Stipulations regarding discovery procedure
- Rule 30 Depositions upon oral examination
- Rule 31 Depositions upon written questions
- Rule 32 Use of depositions in court proceedings
- Rule 33 Interrogatories to parties
- Rule 34 Producing of documents, electronically stored information, and things or entry onto land for inspection and other purposes
- Rule 35 Physical and mental examination of persons
- Rule 36 Requests for admission
- Rule 37 Failure to make discovery: Sanctions
6. Trials
Cited as Wash. Super. Ct. Civ. R. · 20 active rules · 21 in the official compilation
- Rule 38 Jury trial of right
- Rule 39 Trial by jury or by the court
- Rule 40 Assignment of cases
- Rule 41 Dismissal of actions
- Rule 42 Consolidation; separate trials
- Rule 43 Taking of testimony
- Rule 44 Proof of official record
- Rule 44.1 Determination of foreign law
- Rule 45 Subpoena
- Rule 46 Exceptions unnecessary
- Rule 47 Jurors
- Rule 48 Juries of less than twelve
- Rule 49 Verdicts
- Rule 50 Judgment as a matter of law in jury trials; alternative motion for new trial; conditional rulings
- Rule 51 Instructions to jury and deliberation
- Rule 52 Decisions, findings and conclusions
- Rule 53 Masters Reserved
- Rule 53.1 Referees
- Rule 53.2 Court commissioners
- Rule 53.3 Appointment of masters in discovery matters
- Rule 53.4 Procedures for mandatory mediation of health care claims
7. Judgment
Cited as Wash. Super. Ct. Civ. R. · 9 active rules · 10 in the official compilation
- Rule 54 Judgments and costs
- Rule 55 Default and judgment
- Rule 56 Summary judgment
- Rule 57 Declaratory judgments
- Rule 58 Entry of judgment
- Rule 59 New trial, reconsideration, and amendment of judgments
- Rule 60 Relief from judgment or order
- Rule 61 Harmless error Reserved
- Rule 62 Stay of proceedings to enforce a judgment
- Rule 63 Judges
8. Provisional and Final Remedies
Cited as Wash. Super. Ct. Civ. R. · 10 active rules · 10 in the official compilation
- Rule 64 Seizure of person or property
- Rule 65 Injunctions
- Rule 65.1 Security — Proceedings against sureties
- Rule 66 Receivership proceedings
- Rule 67 Deposit in court
- Rule 68 Offer of judgment
- Rule 69 Execution
- Rule 70 Judgment for specific acts; vesting title
- Rule 70.1 Appearance by attorney
- Rule 71 Withdrawal by attorney
9. Appeals
Cited as Wash. Super. Ct. Civ. R. · 0 active rules · 5 in the official compilation
- Rule 72 Reserved Reserved
- Rule 73 Reserved Reserved
- Rule 74 Reserved Reserved
- Rule 75 Reserved Reserved
- Rule 76 Reserved Reserved
10. Superior Courts and Clerks
Cited as Wash. Super. Ct. Civ. R. · 5 active rules · 5 in the official compilation
11. General Provisions
Cited as Wash. Super. Ct. Civ. R. · 6 active rules · 7 in the official compilation
Rules 53 (Masters), 61 (Harmless error), 72 through 76, and 84 (Forms) are each printed in the official rules as "[Reserved.]" with no rule text, and are shown unlinked. All other numbers reconciled against the official source are active.