Jefferson County Superior Court Filing Timing and Cure Windows

CRITICAL

Initial motions and supporting documents must be filed and delivered to the opposing party or counsel by 4:30 p.m. seven days before the hearing.

Initial motions and supporting documents shall be filed with the court and delivered to the opposing party or their counsel no later than 4:30 p.m. seven days before the hearing. (Example: For a Friday hearing, the documents must be delivered no later than the Friday before.)

CRITICAL

Deadline

2 court days

Opposition papers must be filed and copies served on all parties by noon two court days before argument.

Any party opposing a motion or any part thereof shall file all original responsive documents and serve copies upon all parties not later than 12:00pm two (2) court days prior to the scheduled date for argument on the motion.

CRITICAL

Electronic documents received during regular business hours are considered filed upon receipt; documents filed after 4:30 p.m. PST or on a non-business day are considered filed the next business day.

(i) An electronic document is considered filed with the clerk when it is received in the clerk’s e-file system during regular business hours. Documents filed after 4:30 p.m. PST, or on a non- business day, shall be considered filed on the next business day.

CRITICAL

Deadline

1 business days

Reply affidavits and materials must be filed and delivered to the opposing party or counsel by 4:30 p.m. one business day before the hearing.

Reply affidavits and materials shall be filed with the court and delivered to the opposing party or their counsel no later than 4:30 p.m. one business day before the hearing.

CRITICAL

Deadline

2 court days

Motions, orders, and notes for motion docket for an expedited hearing must be filed by noon two court days before the desired hearing date.

Such motions, orders, and notes for motion docket shall be filed and served on all parties not later than 12:00pm two(2) court days prior to the desired date on which the expedited hearing is requesting to be set.

CRITICAL

The settlement conference materials must be submitted by noon on the day before the conference.

No later than noon the day prior to a settlement conference that has been scheduled pursuant to section (a)(4), each party shall have submitted to the other party and the Court a completed settlement conference memorandum and a completed “Domestic Relations Form” in the form of Attachment G.

CRITICAL

Deadline

2 court days

Responsive affidavits and materials must be filed and delivered to the opposing party or counsel by noon two court days before the hearing.

Responsive affidavits and materials shall be filed with the court and delivered to the opposing party or their counsel no later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) two court days before the hearing.

CRITICAL

The original must be submitted to Room 210 of the Jefferson County Superior Court by noon the day before the settlement conference.

SUBMIT THE ORIGINAL TO ROOM 210 OF THE JEFFERSON COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT BY NOON THE DAY PRIOR TO YOUR SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE.

CRITICAL

Proposed findings and conclusions must be submitted to the court when the notice of presentation is filed.

Proposed findings & conclusions shall be submitted to the court at the time of filing the notice of presentation.

CRITICAL

The reply affidavit must be submitted by noon two days before the hearing.

The reply affidavit shall be submitted not later than 12:00 noon two days before the hearing.

CRITICAL

Deadline

1 court days

Reply documents must be filed and served by noon one court day before argument; no additional documents may be filed, served, or considered afterward.

All reply documents to the response documents as provided for in (b) of this rule shall be filed and served on all parties no later than 12:00pm one (1) court day prior to the date set for argument on the motion. No additional documents shall be filed, served or considered by the court after that date and time.

CRITICAL

The form must be filed and served by 4:30 p.m. on the day one week before the scheduled trial date.

By 4:30 p.m. on the day that is one week prior to the scheduled trial date in all final hearings, informal trials, or formal trials in domestic relations matters, each party shall file and serve on the opposing party and the court a written Domestic Relations Information Form.

WARNING

A signed order must be filed with the clerk.

When signed, the order shall be filed with the clerk.

WARNING

Deadline

3 court days

The clerk must make filed papers available for inspection in the legal file within three court days of filing.

The clerk shall have all filed papers available for inspection in the legal file within three court days of filing.

WARNING

The clerk may reject documents that do not comply with electronic filing requirements and will email the filing party the rejected documents and reason.

(ii) The clerk may reject a document that fails to comply with applicable electronic filing requirements. The clerk will notify the filing party by email the document(s) being rejected and the reason therefore.

INFO

Rejected papers are returned by mail, without prejudice to counsel presenting them in person to the same judge.

When rejected, the papers shall be returned by mail to the counsel sending them, without prejudice to presentation by counsel in person to the same judge.

CRITICAL

The seminar completion certificate must be filed upon completion of the seminar.

Upon completion of the seminar, each party shall file with the court the seminar completion certificate provided by the sponsoring agency or provider.

CRITICAL

The parties must engage in alternative dispute resolution by the deadline 6 weeks before trial.

The case events and case event dates included in the original Order Setting Civil Case Schedule shall be measured in weeks before the trial date as follows: DEADLINE for Engaging in Alternative Dispute Resolution 6

CRITICAL

A request for immediate entry of the decree states that more than 90 days have elapsed since the later of the petition filing date and the applicable listed event.

More than 90 days have elapsed since the later of ______________, 20____, the date on which the Petition was filed, and _____________, 20____, the date: [ ] the respondent signed a joinder. [ ] the respondent signed an acceptance of service. [ ] the summons and petition were personally served upon the respondent. [ ] the summons and petition were mailed pursuant to an order for service by mail. [ ] the summons was first published pursuant to an order for service by publication. [ ] default has been taken. [ ] default has not been taken.

CRITICAL

An opposing response must be served and filed within seven days after receipt of the statement; without a response, the statement is deemed correct.

Any response opposing the statement of arbitrability shall be served and filed within seven days after the receipt of the statement of arbitrability. In the absence of such a response, the statement of arbitrability shall be deemed correct.

CRITICAL

A printed transcript of any video or audio deposition portions presented must be filed within 10 days of presentation.

When presenting portions of a video or audio deposition, a printed transcript thereof must be filed within 10 days of its presentation.

CRITICAL

Trial briefs or memoranda of authorities, and proposed jury instructions in jury trials, must be filed seven days before trial.

Seven days prior to trial, counsel must file with the court and serve copies on opposing counsel, any trial briefs or memorandum of authorities, and in the event of a jury trial, a copy of the proposed jury instructions.

CRITICAL

A party making this objection must note a motion before the assigned judge for an arbitrability hearing within 14 days after filing the response.

A party who objects to a statement of arbitrability claiming the party who files the statement is not subject to arbitration shall note a motion before the assigned judge, noting the matter for hearing on the issue of arbitrability within 14 days of filing the response.

CRITICAL

Presentation of findings, conclusions, and judgment must be noted within 30 days after the decision or verdict.

Presentation of the findings of fact, conclusions of law and judgment shall be noted within thirty (30) days after the decision or verdict was rendered.

CRITICAL

People on the registry must update their background and qualifications information by March 1 each year.

All persons on the registry must update their background and qualifications information annually no later than March 1st of each year.

CRITICAL

The starred trial documents must be filed by the dates shown in the case schedule.

* DEADLINE for Joint Statement of Evidence * DEADLINE to file Trial Briefs and Proposed Jury Instructions The * indicates a document that must be filed with Superior Court Clerk’s office by the date shown.

CRITICAL

Deadline

5 court days

After a settlement resolving all claims against all parties, the plaintiff must file and serve written notice within five court days or before the arbitration hearing, whichever comes first.

After any settlement that fully resolves all claims against all parties, the plaintiff shall, within five court days or before the arbitration hearing, whichever is sooner, file and serve a written notice of settlement.

CRITICAL

Deadline

24 hours

Proposed orders for the court’s consideration that are not to be filed must be emailed to the court administrator at least 24 hours before the scheduled hearing.

Proposed orders for consideration by the court and not to be filed, shall be presented to the court at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled hearing via email to courtadmin@co.jefferson.wa.us.

CRITICAL

Written objections to draft documents as inconsistent with the Court’s ruling must be filed by noon two days before the hearing.

Opposing parties who object to any provision of the draft documents as being inconsistent with the Court’s ruling must file written objections by noon two days prior to the hearing.

CRITICAL

Proposed questionnaires must be filed with the clerk at least three days before trial, unless counsel instead reviews the available questionnaires on the morning of trial.

Counsel must submit proposed questionnaires to the court, file with the clerk and serve copies on opposing counsel at least three days prior to trial or in the alternative review the available questionnaires on the morning of trial.

CRITICAL

When a party moves for attorney’s fees under LCAR 3.2(a)(3), the 20-day appeal period does not begin until the arbitrator files and serves an amended award or its written denial.

(d) In any case in which a party makes a motion for attorney’s fees pursuant to LCAR 3.2(a)(3), the 20-day period for appeal shall not commence until the arbitrator has either filed and served the amended award, or the written denial thereof.

CRITICAL

In covered cases, both parents and any other parties directed by the Court must successfully complete an approved parenting seminar within 90 days after service of the petition on the responding parent.

In all cases referred to in Section (a) above, and in those additional cases arising under Title 26 RCW where the Court makes a discretionary finding that a parenting seminar would be in the best interest of the children, both parents, and such other parties as the Court may direct, shall participate in, and successfully complete, an approved parenting seminar within 90 days after service of a petition on the responding parent.

CRITICAL

A counter notice or written objection to setting must be filed at least three days before the trial-setting date.

Any party not in agreement with the information or estimates given in Note for Trial Setting shall file and serve at least (3) days prior to the trial setting date a counter notice or written objection to setting.

CRITICAL

The Notice of Loss Voting Rights must be filed with the clerk on the date the attorney presents the qualifying order.

Pursuant to the requirements of RCW 11.130.310 the attorney presenting an Order which includes findings that the subject does not have the capacity to vote shall file with the clerk on that same date a Notice of Loss Voting Rights (Appendix 9) providing information necessary to the county auditor.

CRITICAL

A party challenging an appointed arbitrator’s qualifications must make the motion within 14 days of the appointment.

Any party may challenge the qualifications of the appointed arbitrator by motion to the Superior Court Judge provided, however, that said motion must be made within 14 days of the appointment of the arbitrator.

CRITICAL

Parties must deliver the listed exhibits at least seven days before trial.

At least seven days prior to trial, the parties shall deliver their exhibits contained in their Joint Statement of the Evidence in binders with numbered tabs for pretrial processing.

CRITICAL

The withdrawal notice to the court must be filed before the attorney’s withdrawal takes effect.

The notice to the court shall be filed prior to the effective date of the withdrawal of the attorney.

CRITICAL

In civil non-domestic cases, discovery must be completed by the cutoff 12 weeks before trial, and written discovery must be propounded early enough to be completed by then.

Civil, non-domestic cases shall have a discovery cutoff of 12 weeks prior to trial. Discovery shall be completed by the discovery cutoff date. Written discovery shall be propounded to allow for completion prior to the discovery cutoff date.

CRITICAL

Disclosure of possible additional primary witnesses is due 26 weeks before trial.

The case events and case event dates included in the original Order Setting Civil Case Schedule shall be measured in weeks before the trial date as follows: DEADLINE for Disclosure of Possible Additional Primary Witnesses 26

CRITICAL

A motion must be filed and served at least seven days before argument, unless a court rule or statute requires a longer notice period.

Notwithstanding any provision of CR 6(d) to the contrary, a party filing any motion shall serve and file such motion no later than seven (7) days prior to the date noted for argument on the motion. Motions requiring a longer period of notice pursuant to court rule or statute shall be filed as required by the applicable court rule or statute.

CRITICAL

Deadline

5 court days

When the notice cannot be filed with the arbitrator before the hearing, the written notice must still be filed and served within five court days after settlement.

Where the notice cannot be filed with the arbitrator before the arbitration hearing, the plaintiff shall notify the arbitrator of the settlement by telephone, fax or email prior to the hearing, and the written notice shall be filed and served within five court days after the settlement.

CRITICAL

The dissolution request form calls for a declaration that more than 90 days have elapsed since the later of the petition filing date and the listed subsequent date or event.

More than 90 days have elapsed since the later of ______________, ____, the date on which the Petition was filed, and _____________, ____, the date: [ ] the respondent signed a joinder. [ ] the respondent signed an acceptance of service. [ ] the summons and petition were personally served upon the respondent. [ ] the summons and petition were mailed pursuant to an order for service by mail. [ ] the summons was first published pursuant to an order for service by publication. [ ] default has been taken. [ ] default has not been taken.

CRITICAL

A party may file the arbitration note and statement after commencing the action, but must file and serve it no later than 90 days before a properly noted and set trial; otherwise arbitration is waived absent leave for good cause.

In every civil case, following the commencement of the action, but no later than ninety (90) days prior to a properly noted and set trial, any party may file a Note for Arbitration Setting & Initial Statement of Arbitrability substantially in the form of (Exhibit A). The Note for Arbitration Setting & Initial Statement of Arbitrability shall be filed with the Clerk and a duplicate copy delivered to the opposing party or parties. A party failing to file and serve a statement of arbitrability within the time prescribed shall be deemed to have waived arbitration and may subject the matter to civil arbitration thereafter only upon leave of the court for good cause shown.

CRITICAL

Trial briefs and proposed jury instructions must be filed by the deadline 1 week before trial.

The case events and case event dates included in the original Order Setting Civil Case Schedule shall be measured in weeks before the trial date as follows: DEADLINE to file Trial Briefs and Proposed Jury Instructions 1

CRITICAL

Each party must submit its ADR participation certification or declaration at least 30 days before trial.

At least 30 days prior to trial the parties shall each submit a certification or declaration that they have participated in one or more types of ADR, including, but not limited to formal negotiations that included an exchange of written proposals, arbitration, or mediation.

CRITICAL

The Court Administrator must receive the arbitrator’s compensation request no later than 30 days after the arbitration award is filed.

(b) Form. When the award is filed, the arbitrator shall submit to the Court Administrator a request for payment on a form prescribed by the court. Request for compensation must be received by the Court Administrator no later than thirty (30) days from the date of filing the arbitration award.

CRITICAL

Deadline

1 court days

A party asserting bankruptcy protection must file the bankruptcy commencement notice or a certificate confirming the copies are true and accurate by the next judicial business day, under the Superior Court caption for each affected case.

Any party that wishes to assert the protection of the Federal Bankruptcy laws shall, by the next judicial business day after the bankruptcy filing, file a copy of the Bankruptcy Court Notice of Commencement of Case Under Bankruptcy Code, or by a certificate reflecting that the copies are true and accurate, filed under the Superior Court caption for each case to which the matter pertains.

CRITICAL

The joint statement of evidence is due by the deadline 1 week before trial.

The case events and case event dates included in the original Order Setting Civil Case Schedule shall be measured in weeks before the trial date as follows: DEADLINE for Joint Statement of Evidence 1

CRITICAL

A complaint under this rule must be filed within one year of the complained-of occurrence.

Complaints filed under this rule must be filed within one year from the date of occurrence of the matters complained of.

CRITICAL

Deadline

14 calendar days

The appealing party must serve and file a jury demand with the request for trial de novo; a non-appealing party must serve and file one within 14 calendar days after service of the request, or the demand is waived.

(e) Jury Demand. Any jury demand shall be served and filed by the appealing party along with the request for trial de novo, and by a non-appealing party within 14 calendar days after the request for trial de novo is served on that party. If no jury demand is timely filed, it is deemed waived.