Court Rules

King County Superior Court Document Format Requirements

81 rules from official source documents

Rules 1 to 50, page 1 of 2

Font, margin, spacing, and file format requirements for court filings.

CRITICALCivil cases

The opposing party must state its objections in a call-out box placed next to the highlighted designation being objected to.

Opposing Party states their objections in a call-out box next to the highlighted portion to which they are objecting.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

CRITICALCivil cases

The moving party must mark its objections to counter-designations in a call-out box next to the highlighted portion being objected to.

Moving Party marks their objections in a call-out box next to the highlighted portion of the counter-designation to which they are objecting.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

CRITICALCivil cases

The moving party must highlight its deposition designations in a single particular color (e.g., yellow).

Moving Party marks with highlights their designations in a particular color (i.e. yellow).

Court-level rulesOfficial source

CRITICALCivil cases

The opposing party must highlight its counter-designations in a color different from the moving party's designation color (e.g., green).

Opposing Party marks with highlights counter-designations in a different color from that used by the moving party (i.e. green).

Court-level rulesOfficial source

CRITICALCivil cases

Format
PDF

The deposition designation process must begin with a PDF of the transcript because the final marked product will be in PDF format.

Since the end result will be in PDF format, start the process with a PDF of the transcript.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

CRITICAL

Format
DOCX

Proposed orders should be submitted in Word format.

Proposed orders should be submitted in Word format.

Judge Adrienne McCoy

CRITICAL

Attachments or exhibits exceeding 25 pages must be numbered consecutively (without restarting) at the bottom center or right-hand corner, and motions, oppositions, replies, and briefs must cite to those page numbers or risk the hearing being delayed.

Attachments or exhibits in excess of 25 pages, including attachments to motions, oppositions, replies, briefs, declarations, and affidavits, shall be numbered consecutively on the bottom center or right-hand corner of each document. This aids the court and the parties in navigating through voluminous documents. The number shall not restart for each attachment but shall run consecutively through all the attachments to the document. You must cite to these page numbers in all motions, oppositions, replies, and briefs. A party may include other citation information, such as exhibit numbers, corresponding exhibit pages or paragraph numbers, in addition to the consecutive page cite. Failure to follow this rule can result in the Court delaying your hearing or matter until all parties have complied.

Judge Aimée Sutton

CRITICAL

Format
DOCX

A Word version of all proposed orders must be submitted.

Parties must submit a Word version of all proposed orders.

Judge Daniel York

CRITICAL

Format
DOCX

Proposed orders must be filed in Word format through e-working copies in accordance with LCR 7.

All proposed orders must be filed in Word format through e-working copies in accordance with LCR 7.

Judge E. Rania Rampersad

CRITICAL

Format
DOCX

All proposed orders should be submitted in MS Word format.

All proposed orders should be submitted in MS Word format.

Judge Elizabeth J. Berns

CRITICALCivil cases

Format
DOCX

Judge Helson requires proposed orders to be submitted in Word format.

Judge Helson requires a Word version of all proposed orders.

Judge Janet Helson

CRITICAL

Paper working copies must be tabbed for each exhibit or attachment.

All paper working copies must include tabs for each exhibit or attachment.

Judge Jason Holloway

CRITICAL

Format
DOCX

Proposed orders must be submitted in Word format, either by email to holloway.court@kingcounty.gov or through the e-filing portal's e-Working Copies application.

Judge Holloway requires a Word version of all proposed orders. You may submit a Word version of your proposed order: By email to holloway.court@kingcounty.gov, or Through the e-filing portal using the e-Working Copies application.

Judge Jason Holloway

CRITICAL

Format
DOCX

All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format.

Judge Bender requires a Word version of all proposed orders.

Judge Johanna Bender

CRITICAL

Format
DOCX

All proposed orders must be provided to the Court in Word format by emailing them to the bailiff.

Please provide a copy of all proposed orders in Word format to the Court by emailing them to the bailiff.

Judge Ken Schubert

CRITICAL

Format
DOCX

All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format.

Judge Shah requires a Word version of all proposed orders.

Judge Ketu Shah

CRITICAL

Working copies must show the hearing/consideration date, Judge Larrañaga's name, and the presenting party in the upper right corner.

Please put in the upper right corner of the working copies the note date of consideration or hearing, Judge Larrañaga's name, and by whom the documents are being presented ("moving party," "opposing party," or other descriptive or identifying term).

Judge Mark Larrañaga

CRITICAL

Format
DOCX

All proposed orders must be submitted to the Court in Word format by emailing them to the bailiff.

Please provide a copy of all proposed orders in Word format to the Court by emailing them to the bailiff.

Judge Marshall Ferguson

CRITICALCivil cases

Format
DOCX

Proposed orders must be provided to the Court in Word format by emailing them to the bailiff.

Please provide a copy of all proposed orders in Word format to the Court by emailing them to the bailiff.

Judge Maureen McKee

CRITICAL

Video must remain on for the entire Zoom hearing; anonymous attendance is not permitted.

All participants must keep their video on for the entire time they are logged onto the Zoom meeting. Washington Courts are presumed to be open, and this extends to Zoom hearings. The court cannot permit individuals to attend court anonymously.

Judge Melinda Young

CRITICAL

Recording of Zoom proceedings is prohibited without prior court permission.

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

Judge Melinda Young

CRITICAL

Ensure that you have video and audio capability enabled for the meeting.

Ensure that you have video and audio capability enabled for the meeting.

Judge Melinda Young

CRITICAL

All participants should join the Zoom meeting using their first and last name. The bailiff will use the chat feature to attempt to identify anyone not logged on using a legal first and last name. The court may decline to admit anyone who does not meet this requirement or engage via chat.

All participants should join the Zoom meeting using their first and last name. The bailiff will use the chat feature to attempt to identify anyone not logged on using a legal first and last name. The court may decline to admit anyone who does not meet this requirement or engage via chat.

Judge Melinda Young

CRITICAL

Uncited instructions SHOULD NOT have any identifying headers or footers or page numbers on them.

Uncited instructions SHOULD NOT have any identifying headers or footers or page numbers on them.

Judge Michael K. Ryan

CRITICAL

Double-spaced (Do not add space between paragraphs. Everything should be double spaced consistenty.)

Double-spaced (Do not add space between paragraphs. Everything should be double spaced consistenty.)

Judge Michael K. Ryan

CRITICAL

Format
PAPER

Department 37 is a hardcopy (paper) court and prefers working copies submitted to the Judge’s mailroom C-203, with Judge Ryan’s name and the case information clearly marked in the upper right hand corner, pursuant to the local court rules. This can be accomplished by submitting them through the working copies portal in the Clerk’s E-Filing system or having them delivered to the mailroom via a courier or alternative method. The Court does not accept working copies via email, absent prior authorization.

Department 37 is a hardcopy (paper) court and prefers working copies submitted to the Judge’s mailroom C-203, with Judge Ryan’s name and the case information clearly marked in the upper right hand corner, pursuant to the local court rules. This can be accomplished by submitting them through the working copies portal in the Clerk’s E-Filing system or having them delivered to the mailroom via a courier or alternative method. The Court does not accept working copies via email, absent prior authorization.

Judge Michael K. Ryan

CRITICAL

Margins
top 1 in, bottom 1 in, left 1 in, right 1 in

Justified 1-inch margins

Justified 1-inch margins

Judge Michael K. Ryan

CRITICAL

Jury instructions should be prepared in Size 12 Times New Roman font.

Size 12 Times New Roman font

Judge Michael K. Ryan

CRITICAL

The moving party must mark objections to counter-designations with brackets in a different color of ink-pen (black or blue) or text box on the page, tab with a post-it note, write objections on the page (not the tabs), and cite the applicable rule for each objection.

Moving Party marks their objections using brackets to demonstrate which portion they object to and a different color of ink-pen (black or blue) or text box, on the page, next to the highlighted portion of the counter-designation to which they are objecting and tabs the page with a post-it note. (Please write your objections on the page and not on the tabs.) Reason for objections should be noted by citing the applicable rule. (ie. Hearsay, ER904, etc.)

Judge Michael K. Ryan

CRITICAL

The opposing party must mark objections with brackets in blue or black ink-pen or an electronic text box on the page next to the highlighted portion, tab the page with a post-it note, and write objections on the page rather than on the tabs.

Opposing Party marks their objections using brackets to demonstrate which portion they object to and in ink-pen (blue or black) or electronic text box, on the page, next to the highlighted portion to which they are objecting and tabs the page with a post-it note. (Please write your objections on the page and not on the tabs.)

Judge Michael K. Ryan

CRITICAL

Format
DOCX

Completed deposition designation charts for each deposition must be emailed to the bailiff in Word format for rulings and entry by the Court.

Email a copy of the completed deposition designation charts for each deposition in Word format to the bailiff for rulings and entry by the Court.

Judge Michael K. Ryan

CRITICAL

The moving party must highlight each designated deposition section in a single color (e.g., yellow highlighter).

Moving Party (party initially introducing the deposition for designation) marks their designations by highlighting each section being designated in a particular color (i.e. yellow highlighter)

Judge Michael K. Ryan

CRITICAL

Uncited instructions SHOULD NOT be numbered or titled

Uncited instructions SHOULD NOT be numbered or titled

Judge Michael K. Ryan

CRITICAL

Parties must use one set of depositions to mark for the judge's consideration.

USE ONE SET OF DEPOSITIONS TO MARK FOR THE JUDGE'S CONSIDERATION, as follows:

Judge Michael K. Ryan

CRITICAL

Failing to complete the form and disclose witnesses may result in exclusion of witnesses or other sanctions.

NOTE: Failure to complete this form and disclose witnesses may result in exclusion of witnesses or other sanctions.

Judge Michael K. Ryan

CRITICAL

Format
DOCX

Jury instruction sets emailed to the bailiff must be in Word format.

All sets should be provided to the bailiff electronically, via email in Word format, both cited and uncited for the Court's use and reference.

Judge Michael K. Ryan

CRITICAL

The opposing party must highlight counter-designations in a color different from the moving party's color (e.g., green highlighter).

Opposing Party marks their counter-designations by highlighting each section being designated in a different color from that used by the moving party (i.e. green highlighter)

Judge Michael K. Ryan

CRITICAL

Format
DOCX

Proposed orders must be submitted in Word format by email to the bailiff.

Please provide a copy of the proposed order in Word format by emailing them to the bailiff.

Judge Nelson K.H. Lee

CRITICAL

Format
DOCX

Proposed orders must be submitted in Word format.

Proposed orders in Word format are required as well.

Judge Nicholas Straley

CRITICAL

Attachments or exhibits exceeding 25 pages must be numbered consecutively (without restarting) on the bottom center or right-hand corner of each page.

“Attachments or exhibits to any filed document, in excess of 25 pages, including motions, oppositions, replies, briefs, declarations, and affidavits, whether in paper or electronic form, shall be numbered consecutively on the bottom center or right-hand corner of each document to aid the court and the parties in navigating through the document. The number shall not restart for each attachment but shall run consecutively through all the attachments to the document.

Judge Nicholas Straley

CRITICAL

Working papers exceeding 200 pages must be submitted as hard copies in a 3-ring binder with a table of contents and tabs.

Any Working Papers over 200 pages must be submitted as hard copies in a 3-ring binder with a table of contents and tabs.

Judge Samuel Chung

CRITICAL

Working papers must conform to GR 14, be double spaced, and use a font size between 12 and 14 points.

Working Papers must conform to GR 14, must be double spaced, and use a font of 12 to 14.

Judge Samuel Chung

CRITICAL

When submitting pleadings, please comply with LCR 7(b)(5)(B)(iv) which provides: “Parties should highlight those parts [of the exhibits] upon which they place substantial reliance.”

When submitting pleadings, please comply with LCR 7(b)(5)(B)(iv) which provides: “Parties should highlight those parts [of the exhibits] upon which they place substantial reliance.”

Judge Sandra Widlan

CRITICALCriminal cases

Proposed orders included with electronically filed working copies must be in Word format.

All electronically filed working copies shall also include a proposed order(s) in Word format

Judge Tenaya Scheinman

WARNINGCivil cases

The opposing party must state its objection and the basis for it in a comment box next to the moving party's designation.

Opposing Party states their objection and basis therefore in a comment box next to the designation.

Judge Adrienne McCoy

WARNINGCivil cases

The opposing party must highlight counter-designations in a color different from the moving party's (e.g., green highlighter).

Opposing Party highlights counter-designations in a different color from that used by the moving party (i.e. green highlighter)

Judge Adrienne McCoy

WARNING

Deposition designations and objections intended for use at trial must be marked according to Judge McCoy's guidelines.

If the parties intend to use depositions in trial, designations and objections shall be marked according to Judge McCoy's guidelines (20KB).

Judge Adrienne McCoy

WARNINGCivil cases

Format
DOCX

A proposed order in substantially the following format should also be provided to the Court in Word format at least five court days prior to trial.

A proposed order in substantially the following format should also be provided to the Court in Word format at least five court days prior to trial.

Judge Adrienne McCoy

WARNINGCivil cases

Moving Party states their objection and basis therefore in a comment box next to the designation.

Moving Party states their objection and basis therefore in a comment box next to the designation.

Judge Adrienne McCoy

WARNINGCivil cases

The moving party must mark its deposition designations with brackets or highlights in a distinct color (e.g., yellow highlighter).

Moving Party marks with brackets or highlights their designations in a particular color (i.e. yellow highlighter).

Judge Adrienne McCoy
Common questions about King County Superior Court document format requirements

What formatting rules apply to filings in King County Superior Court?

King County Superior Court's formatting rule includes file format PDF and start the designation process with a pdf of the deposition transcript; the final marked depositions will be in pdf format. The deposition designation process must begin with a PDF of the transcript because the final marked product will be in PDF format.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 1, section THE PARTIES MUST COOPERATE USING ONE SET OF DEPOSITIONS MARKED FOR THE JUDGE'S CONSIDERATION

Judge Jason Holloway's formatting rule includes paper working copies must include tabs for each exhibit or attachment. Paper working copies must be tabbed for each exhibit or attachment.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 1, section Civil Motions - Working Papers and Proposed Orders

Judge Nicholas Straley and Judge Michael Scott's formatting rule includes file format docx. Proposed orders must be submitted in Word format.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 1, section Non-Dispositive Motions – KCLCR 7(b)

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