King County Superior Court Chambers Communication Rules

If parties request a court reporter for a hearing/trial, notify the bailiff as soon as possible.

Source text: If the parties are requesting a court reporter for a hearing/trial, please notify the bailiff as soon as possible.

If you anticipate using AV equipment, visit the courtroom before your hearing or trial to plan set-up and discuss needs with the bailiff.

Source text: If you anticipate the need to use videos, PowerPoint, ELMO, or even easels, you should visit the courtroom before your hearing or trial to plan your set-up in a manner that will be most efficient and effective. Discuss your needs with the bailiff and do not assume that the court will have any particular equipment available for your use.

Notify the bailiff to strike a motion or if the case has settled.

Source text: Please notify the bailiff to strike a motion or if the case has settled.

Ex parte contact is not permitted; the other party or counsel must be copied on any communications sent to the court.

Source text: Ex parte contact is not permitted, and the other party or counsel must be copied on any communications sent to the court.

Judge Keenan is available to facilitate settlement conferences for civil cases; email his court for more information.

Source text: Judge Keenan is available to facilitate settlement conferences for civil cases. Please email his court for more information.

All hearings are conducted via Zoom using the provided meeting ID.

Source text: At this time, all hearings will be conducted via Zoom. https://kingcounty.zoom.us/j/83726036501 Meeting ID: 837 2603 6501

Do not email Judge Whedbee directly; all correspondence must go through the bailiff.

Source text: Do not email Judge Whedbee directly. All correspondence must go through the bailiff.

Stand when addressing the court unless given leave to do otherwise.

Source text: When addressing the court, counsel or parties shall stand unless given leave to do otherwise.

Review the Rules for Conduct before appearing in Judge Vargas' courtroom.

Source text: Please review the Rules for Conduct (188KB) in her courtroom.

Include the case name and cause number in the subject line of emails or at the beginning of voicemails.

Source text: When contacting the Court, please ensure that the Case Name and Cause Number are included in all correspondence (the subject line of the email, at the beginning of a voicemail).

Notify the court immediately if your case settles or you need to strike a motion.

Source text: Please notify the Court immediately if your case settles or you need to strike a motion.

Email ballinger.court@kingcounty.gov to arrange a conference, describing the issue succinctly and non-argumentatively, and copy all parties.

Source text: Please email ballinger.court@kingcounty.gov to arrange a conference. The email should—as succinctly and non-argumentatively as possible—describe the nature of the issue or dispute. You must copy all parties on any email to the court.

Do not email the judge directly; all email correspondence must go through the bailiff.

Source text: DO NOT email the judge directly. All email correspondence must go through the bailiff.

Judge Ferguson handles judicial settlement conferences and welcomes inquiries.

Source text: Judge Ferguson frequently handles judicial settlement conferences in civil cases, including for dependency/termination matters, and welcomes settlement conference inquiries.

Log in at least 10 minutes before the meeting time for Zoom appearances.

Source text: Log in at least 10 minutes before the meeting time.

Do not email Judge Lapin directly; all correspondence must go through the Bailiff.

Source text: Do not email Judge Lapin directly. All correspondence must go through the Bailiff.

Hearings are by Zoom unless you notify the court by email in advance to appear in person.

Source text: Hearings in Department 6 are typically conducted by Zoom. If you prefer to appear in person, please notify the court by email in advance so that all parties can be afforded the same opportunity.

Notify the court immediately if the case settles or a motion needs to be stricken.

Source text: Please notify the court immediately if your case settles or you need to strike a motion.

Communicate with the court by email for scheduling or administrative matters, copying all parties to avoid ex parte communication.

Source text: Judge Ryan's court prefers for parties to communicate through email for any scheduling or administrative matters. This allows for all parties/counsel to be included in the correspondence to avoid ex parte communication.

Emails to the court must not involve substantive discussion about case issues; violations may result in sanctions.

Source text: Parties shall review and comply with the Email Policy of King County Superior Court and shall not involve any substantive discussion about issues related to the case. Violations of these requirements may result in sanctions.

If the court allows Zoom for a hearing, all counsel/parties must appear on the same platform; if one party appears in person, all arguing parties must appear in the courtroom.

Source text: If the Court allows parties the option to appear on Zoom for a hearing, all counsel/parties must appear on the same platform. Thus, if a party’s preference is to appear in-person in court, all parties/counsel arguing the matter are expected to appear in the courtroom as well.

Zoom participants must log on with their full name and role, have video and audio capability, and not use the chat function unless asked.

Source text: Participants shall log on identified by their full name and, if possible, identifying their role in the case. Those who are participating in the case as counsel, a party, or a witness must have video and audio capability.

Observers on Zoom must join with video disabled and microphone on mute; failure may result in removal.

Source text: Observers shall join with video disabled and their microphone on MUTE. Failure to comply with this may result in the participant being removed from the meeting.

Review the Rules for Conduct in Judge Scott's courtroom before appearing for hearings or trial.

Source text: Prior to appearing in Judge Scott's Court for hearings or trial Please review the Rules for Conduct (188KB) in his courtroom.

Court attire is required for Zoom appearances.

Source text: Court attire is required.

Log in to Zoom at least 10 minutes before the scheduled meeting time.

Source text: Log in at least 10 minutes before the meeting time.

Test your internet connection prior to appearing in court via Zoom.

Source text: Test your internet connection prior to your appearance in court.

Ensure witnesses and clients have watched Virtual Meeting Tips and practice with them before the hearing.

Source text: Ensure your witnesses and clients have also watched Virtual Meeting Tips. Practice with each witness/client prior to joining the hearing/trial.

Do not email Judge Cary directly; all correspondence must go through her bailiff.

Source text: Do not email Judge Cary directly. All correspondence must go through her bailiff.

Settlement conferences are conducted Monday through Friday at 4:30 pm; schedule at least 2 weeks in advance by emailing the bailiff.

Source text: Judge Lee conducts settlement conferences Monday through Friday at 4:30 pm. Please email the bailiff to schedule your settlement conference at least 2 weeks in advance.

Anyone appearing by Zoom must join at the designated time; persons appearing late should not expect to be admitted.

Source text: Anyone appearing by Zoom must join the hearing at the designated time for the hearing. Persons appearing late should not expected they will be admitted into the hearing.

No one is authorized to record proceedings by any means without prior permission from the Court.

Source text: No one is authorized to record the proceedings by any means without prior permission from the Court

All parties must provide a brief 3 to 5 page typewritten memorandum or letter at least 5 court days prior to the settlement conference outlining factual background, prior negotiations, positions, and a settlement proposal.

Source text: All parties must provide a brief 3 to 5 pages typewritten memorandum or letter at least 5 court days prior to the settlement conference. This should outline the factual background, any prior negotiations and positions taken on the outstanding issues between the parties, and any other relevant information. Please include your proposal for settlement.

All parties must confirm in-person attendance and provide their memorandum or letter at least 5 business days prior or the conference will be stricken.

Source text: All parties must confirm their in-person attendance and provide their memorandum or letter at least 5 business days prior to the settlement conference date or it will be stricken from the Judge’s calendar.

Clients with settlement authority must be present in person; the conference will not continue if communication with a party not present is required; parties may not appear by telephone.

Source text: Clients with settlement authority must be present in person. The conference will not continue if communication with a party not present at the conference is required to resolve the case. We do not allow parties to appear by telephone.

For a Zoom appearance in criminal hearings, request at least 48 hours in advance with an explanation; the decision is within the judge's discretion.

Source text: If an attorney seeks to have the attorney, party, witness, advocate or victim appear for a hearing via Zoom, the attorney should make a request by notifying court and the opposing counsel at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing, absent extenuating circumstances. The request must include an explanation for the need for the virtual connection. The decision whether to allow a Zoom appearance is within each judge’s discretion.

Remote participants must ensure their Zoom screen name matches their legal name; the Court may decline to admit unrecognized names from the waiting room.

Source text: When remotely accessing the hearing, remote participants shall ensure that their Zoom screen name and the legal name they are using in these proceedings are the same. If a remote participant attempts to access the trial via Zoom with a name the Court does not recognize, the Court may decline to admit that person from the virtual waiting room.

The party requesting the Zoom appearance is responsible for monitoring when the person appearing by Zoom has joined and shall advise the Court; the bailiff will not monitor.

Source text: The party requesting the Zoom appearance is responsible for monitoring when the person appearing by Zoom has joined the hearing and shall advise the Court as such. The party should not expect the bailiff to monitor who has joined the Zoom session.

Court attire is required (suit and tie for males) when appearing via Zoom.

Source text: Court attire is required (suit and tie for males).

Log in at least 10 minutes before the meeting time for Zoom appearances.

Source text: Log in at least 10 minutes before the meeting time.

Practice with each witness/client prior to joining the hearing/trial.

Source text: Practice with each witness/client prior to joining the hearing/trial.

Non-attorneys appearing via Zoom must follow specific guidelines including using their true name or identifying their relationship to the proceeding on their Zoom tile.

Source text: Your Zoom tile must contain your true name or identify your relationship to a proceeding , or you may not be permitted to enter the virtual courtroom from the waiting room.

Remote hearing participants must conduct themselves as if physically present and minimize distractions.

Source text: Remote hearing participants should conduct themselves in the same way they would if they were physically present in a courtroom and should take steps to minimize anything that would distract from the integrity of the proceedings.

Do not email Judge Parisien directly; all correspondence must go through the bailiff at parisien.court@kingcounty.gov.

Source text: Please do not email Judge Parisien directly. All correspondence must go through the bailiff. Parisien.court@kingcounty.gov

Participants in virtual proceedings must set their Zoom name using the specified conventions (e.g., PLT: First and Last Name (she/her)).

Source text: Before entering, each Participant should set their name within Zoom according to the following conventions: PLT: First and Last Name (she/her) P/C: First Last (they/them) DEF: First Last (etc.) D/C: First Last WTN: First Last Observer: First Last

Participants in virtual proceedings must have a download and upload speed of at least 2 Mbps and be in a distraction-free setting; appearing while driving is not allowed.

Source text: Each participant should confirm in advance sufficient hardware and internet connection to appear remotely, including speed of at least 2 Mbps for download and 2 Mbps for upload

Parties must use the courtroom email address flevaris.court@kingcounty.gov to communicate with the Court, copying all other parties, and must not use the judge's individual address unless invited.

Source text: Per the policy, the only address to be used by attorneys, unrepresented litigants, or others who need to communicate with the Bailiff about a case is the courtroom email address.

Phone should not be used unless there is no other available means of communication, and the case number must be clearly identified at the outset of any call or voicemail.

Source text: Phone should not be used unless there is no other available means of communication, and in that instance, the case number should be clearly identified at the outset of any call or voicemail.

For the fastest response, contact the court via email.

Source text: For the fastest response, please contact the court via email.

Parties should communicate through email for scheduling or administrative matters, copying all parties/counsel to avoid ex parte communication.

Source text: Judge Tinker's court prefers for parties to communicate through email for any scheduling or administrative matters. This allows for all parties/counsel to be included in the correspondence to avoid ex parte communication.

Parties shall comply with the Email Policy of King County Superior Court and shall not involve substantive discussion about case issues; violations may result in sanctions.

Source text: Parties shall review and comply with the Email Policy of King County Superior Court and shall not involve any substantive discussion about issues related to the case. Violations of these requirements may result in sanctions.

Do not email the judge directly; all email correspondence must go through the bailiff.

Source text: DO NOT email the Judge directly. All email correspondence must go through the bailiff.

All substantive communications with the Court, including email, must include opposing party/counsel.

Source text: All substantive communications with the Court, including email communication, must clearly include opposing party/counsel.

All emails to the Court must be sent to the courtroom email address; do not use the judge's individual email unless invited.

Source text: All emails to the Court are to be sent to the courtroom e-mail address above. Absent express invitation by the judge, the judge’s individual email address is not to be used.

Notify the Court immediately if a case settles or a motion needs to be stricken.

Source text: Please notify the Court immediately if your case settles or you need to strike a motion.