(a) Computation. In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by these rules, by the local rules of any superior court, by order of court, or by any applicable statute, the day of the act, event, or default from which the designated period of time begins to run shall not be included. The last day of the period so computed shall be included, unless it is a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday, in which event the period runs until the end of the next day which is neither a Saturday, a Sunday nor a legal holiday. Legal holidays are prescribed in RCW 1.16.050. When the period of time prescribed or allowed is less than 7 days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays shall be excluded in the computation.
Rule 6.Time
Group 2: Commencement of Action · Last amended April 28, 2015 · Last verified July 13, 2026
In one sentenceRule 6 tells parties how to count deadlines set by court rule, statute, or court order, when a court can extend those deadlines, how much notice a motion requires, and how mailed service adds extra days to a response period.
Full Text of Rule 6
(b) Enlargement. When by these rules or by a notice given thereunder or by order of court an act is required or allowed to be done at or within a specified time, the court for cause shown may at any time in its discretion, (1) with or without motion or notice, order the period enlarged if request therefor is made before the expiration of the period originally prescribed or as extended by a previous order or, (2) upon motion made after the expiration of the specified period, permit the act to be done where the failure to act was the result of excusable neglect; but it may not extend the time for taking any action under rules 50(b), 52(b), 59(b), 59(d), and 60(b).
(c) Proceeding not to fail for want of judge or session of court. No proceeding in a court of justice in any action, suit, or proceeding pending therein, is affected by a vacancy in the office of any or all of the judges or by the failure of a session of the court.
(d) For motions — Affidavits. A written motion, other than one which may be heard ex parte, and notice of the hearing thereof shall be served not later than 5 days before the time specified for the hearing, unless a different period is fixed by these rules or by order of the court. Such an order may for cause shown be made on ex parte application. When a motion is supported by affidavit, the affidavit shall be served with the motion; and, except as otherwise provided in rule 59(c), opposing affidavits may be served not later than 1 day before the hearing, unless the court permits them to be served at some other time.
(e) Additional time after service by mail. Whenever a party has the right or is required to do some act or take some proceedings within a prescribed period after the service of a notice or other paper upon the party and the notice or paper is served upon the party by mail, 3 days shall be added to the prescribed period.
Amendment History
Adopted May 5, 1967, amended June 28, 1967, effective July 1, 1967; amended, effective April 28, 2015.
Plain-English Summary
Deadlines only matter if everyone counts them the same way, and Rule 6 supplies the counting method. Skip the day of the triggering event, then count forward. The last day counts too — unless it lands on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, in which case the deadline rolls to the next day that isn't one of those. When a rule gives fewer than seven days to act, weekends and holidays in the middle of that stretch don't count either, stretching short deadlines so they aren't swallowed by a weekend.
Courts can extend most deadlines for good cause, before or after they expire — after expiration, the moving party has to show the delay was excusable neglect. But five specific deadlines are off limits for enlargement: the post-trial motion deadlines in Rules 50(b), 52(b), 59(b), and 59(d), and the deadline to seek relief from judgment under Rule 60(b). Those stay fixed regardless of the circumstances.
For motions, Rule 6 sets the baseline notice period: a written motion and hearing notice must be served at least five days before the hearing, unless another rule sets a different period or the court shortens it on ex parte application. Affidavits supporting the motion go out with it; opposing affidavits can wait until one day before the hearing. And whenever a deadline runs from mailed service of a notice or paper, the responding party gets three extra days added to the clock.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I count a deadline under Rule 6?
Don't count the day of the triggering event. Count forward, and include the last day of the period unless it falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday — in which case the deadline moves to the next day that isn't one of those.
What if my deadline is less than 7 days?
Weekends and legal holidays that fall in the middle of the period are excluded from the count, not just the final day. This effectively lengthens short deadlines.
Can a court extend a deadline after it has already passed?
Yes, on motion, if the failure to act was the result of excusable neglect. Before the deadline passes, the court can enlarge it for cause shown, with or without a motion or notice.
Which deadlines can never be extended?
The time limits for motions under Rules 50(b), 52(b), 59(b), 59(d), and 60(b) cannot be enlarged by the court under this rule.
How much notice does a motion require?
At least 5 days before the hearing, unless another rule sets a different period or the court shortens it on ex parte application. Opposing affidavits may be served as late as 1 day before the hearing unless the court allows otherwise.
Why do I get extra days when something is mailed to me?
Rule 6(e) adds 3 days to any prescribed period when the party must act within a set time after being served a notice or paper by mail, to account for delivery time.
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
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