Group 7: Judgment · Last amended April 28, 2015 · Last verified July 13, 2026
In one sentenceRule 54 defines judgment and order, sets the standard for certifying a final judgment on fewer than all claims or parties, limits default judgments to the relief demanded, and governs costs, attorneys' fees, and the preparation and presentation of proposed judgments.
(1)Judgment. A judgment is the final determination of the rights of the parties in the action and includes any decree and order from which an appeal lies. A judgment shall be in writing and signed by the judge and filed forthwith as provided in rule 58.
(2)Order. Every direction of a court or judge, made or entered in writing, not included in a judgment, is denominated an order.
(b)Judgment upon multiple claims or involving multiple parties. When more than one claim for relief is presented in an action, whether as a claim, counterclaim, cross claim, or third party claim, or when multiple parties are involved, the court may direct the entry of a final judgment as to one or more but fewer than all of the claims or parties only upon an express determination in the judgment, supported by written findings, that there is no just reason for delay and upon an express direction for the entry of judgment. The findings may be made at the time of entry of judgment or thereafter on the court’s own motion or on motion of any party. In the absence of such findings, determination and direction, any order or other form of decision, however designated, which adjudicates fewer than all the claims or the rights and liabilities of fewer than all the parties shall not terminate the action as to any of the claims or parties, and the order or other form of decision is subject to revision at any time before the entry of judgment adjudicating all the claims and the rights and liabilities of all the parties.
(c)Demand for judgment. A judgment by default shall not be different in kind from or exceed in amount that prayed for in the demand for judgment. Except as to a party against whom a judgment is entered by default, every final judgment shall grant the relief to which the party in whose favor it is rendered is entitled, even if the party has not demanded such relief in his pleadings.
(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 the 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)Preparation of order or judgment. The attorney of record for the prevailing party shall prepare and present a proposed form of order or judgment not later than 15 days after the entry of the verdict or decision, or at any other time as the court may direct. Where the prevailing party is represented by an attorney of record, no order or judgment may be entered for the prevailing party unless presented or approved by the attorney of record. If both the prevailing party and the prevailing party’s attorney of record fail to prepare and present the form of order or judgment within the prescribed time, any other party may do
so, without the approval of the attorney of record of the prevailing party upon notice of presentation as provided in subsection (f)(2).
(1)Time. Judgments may be presented at the same time as the findings of fact and conclusions of law under rule 52.
(2)Notice of presentation. No order or judgment shall be signed or entered until opposing counsel have been given 5 days’ notice of presentation and served with a copy of the proposed order or judgment unless:
(A)Emergency. An emergency is shown to exist.
(B)Approval. Opposing counsel has approved in writing the entry of the proposed order or judgment or waived notice of presentation.
(C)After verdict, etc. If presentation is made after entry of verdict or findings and while opposing counsel is in open court.
Amendment History
Prior: 54(e), RPPP Rule 54.04W and Rule 77.08W (1st sentence). Adopted May 5, 1967, effective July 1, 1967; amended, adopted June 12, 1989, effective Sept. 1, 1989; amended, effective September 1, 2007; amended, effective April 28, 2015.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 54 opens with definitions: a judgment is the final determination of the parties' rights in the action, including any decree or order from which an appeal lies, and it must be written, signed by the judge, and filed under Rule 58. Any other written direction of the court not included in a judgment is called an order. Section (b) addresses actions with multiple claims or parties — the court may direct entry of final judgment on fewer than all of them only by making an express, written-finding-supported determination that there is no just reason for delay, along with an express direction to enter judgment; that finding can be made at judgment or later, on the court's own motion or a party's. Without it, any decision resolving fewer than all claims or parties does not end the action and remains open to revision until all claims and all parties' rights are adjudicated.
Section (c) caps a default judgment at the kind and amount of relief demanded, while every other final judgment must grant the relief the prevailing party is entitled to even if it was not specifically requested in the pleadings. Section (d) addresses money that follows a judgment: costs and disbursements are fixed under RCW 4.84 or another applicable statute, and if the prevailing party does not file a cost bill or disbursement affidavit within 10 days after entry of judgment, the clerk taxes costs and disbursements under Rule 78(e). Claims for attorneys' fees and expenses beyond costs and disbursements are made by motion — unless the substantive law underlying the action treats fees as an element of damages proved at trial — and, absent a different statute or court order, that motion must be filed no later than 10 days after entry of judgment.
Section (e) puts the burden of drafting on the prevailing party's attorney of record, who must prepare and present a proposed order or judgment within 15 days after the verdict or decision, or whatever other time the court sets; if represented, the prevailing party cannot have an order or judgment entered unless its attorney presents or approves it, and if neither the party nor its attorney meets the deadline, any other party may prepare and present the proposed form instead. Section (f) allows judgments to be presented at the same time as findings of fact and conclusions of law under Rule 52, and generally requires 5 days' notice of presentation and service of the proposed order or judgment on opposing counsel — except where an emergency exists, opposing counsel has approved the proposed order in writing or waived notice, or presentation happens after a verdict or findings while opposing counsel is in open court.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a judgment and an order under Rule 54?
A judgment is the final determination of the parties' rights in the action, including any decree or order an appeal may be taken from, and it must be written and signed by the judge. Any other written direction of the court that is not part of a judgment is called an order.
How does a party get a final, appealable judgment on just one of several claims?
Under section (b), the court must expressly determine, with written findings, that there is no just reason for delay, and must expressly direct entry of judgment on that claim or as to that party. Without that determination, a decision resolving fewer than all claims or parties does not terminate the action and stays open to revision until everything is decided.
Can a default judgment award more than what the plaintiff asked for?
No. Section (c) states that a judgment by default cannot differ in kind from or exceed in amount what was demanded in the pleadings. That cap does not apply to other final judgments, which must grant the relief the prevailing party is entitled to even beyond what was demanded.
How long does the prevailing party have to file a cost bill?
Ten days after entry of judgment. If no cost bill or disbursement affidavit is filed within that time, the clerk taxes costs and disbursements under Rule 78(e).
How is a claim for attorneys' fees made after judgment?
By motion, unless the substantive law behind the action treats fees as an element of damages proved at trial. Absent a different statute or court order, that motion must be filed no later than 10 days after entry of judgment.
Who is responsible for preparing the proposed judgment?
The attorney of record for the prevailing party, who must prepare and present it within 15 days after entry of the verdict or decision, or by whatever other deadline the court sets. If represented, the prevailing party cannot have judgment entered unless its attorney presents or approves the form; if that attorney and the party both miss the deadline, any other party may prepare and present it instead.
How much notice does opposing counsel get before a judgment is signed?
Generally 5 days' notice of presentation along with a copy of the proposed order or judgment, unless an emergency exists, opposing counsel has approved the proposed judgment in writing or waived notice, or presentation occurs after a verdict or findings while opposing counsel is present in open court.
Can a judgment be presented at the same time as findings of fact and conclusions of law?
Yes. Section (f)(1) allows judgments to be presented at the same time as the findings and conclusions entered under Rule 52.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Washington Superior Court Civil Rules, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Washington. Last verified July 13, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:definition of judgment CR 54final judgment on multiple claimsCR 54(b) certificationdefault judgment cannot exceed demandcosts and attorneys fees after judgmentpresenting a proposed judgment or order