King County Superior Court Document Format Requirements

Deposition designations and objections 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).

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Depositions must not be marked as exhibits because they become part of the court file.

Depositions are not to be marked as an exhibit since they become part of the court file.

Format

DOCX

All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format.

Parties must submit a Word version of all proposed orders.

Format

DOCX

Proposed orders must be submitted in MS Word format so the judge can e-sign and e-serve them electronically.

All proposed orders should be submitted in MS Word format. Judge Berns will then e-sign and e-serve orders electronically.

In civil cases, Clerk's Copy exhibit binders must be separated by numbered tabs per the Pre-Trial Order and marked by the courtroom clerk before trial begins.

The official "Clerk's Copy" exhibit binders for civil cases shall be separated by numbered tabs (per the Pre-Trial Order) and will be marked prior to the start of trial by the courtroom clerk.

Format

DOCX

All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format.

Judge Helson requires a Word version of all proposed orders.

Format

DOCX

All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format, either by email to holloway.court@kingcounty.gov or through the e-filing portal using the 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.

Format

DOCX

Proposed additions to the standard jury questionnaire must be agreed upon by counsel in advance and submitted to the Court in Word format, with the Court deciding whether to include them.

Any proposed additions to the standard questionnaire must be agreed upon by counsel in advance and submitted to the Court in Word format for possible inclusion. The Court will decide whether to add any proposed questions.

Format

DOCX

A Word version of every proposed order is required.

Judge Bender requires a Word version of all proposed orders.

Format

DOCX

Proposed jury instructions emailed to the bailiff must be in Word format.

E-mail a set of cited and un-cited proposed jury instructions in Word format to the court's bailiff.

Format

DOCX

Proposed orders submitted to the Court must be in Word format.

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

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.

The Zoom hearing link must not be forwarded without explicit permission from the court.

Do not forward the Zoom link without explicit permission from the court.

Participants must join Zoom hearings using their legal first and last name, or the court may decline to admit them.

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.

Participants must keep their video on for the entire Zoom hearing because Washington courts are presumed open and 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.

Recording of the proceedings by any means is prohibited without prior permission from the court.

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

Format

DOCX

All proposed orders must be provided to the Court in Word format through the eworking copies portal.

Please provide a copy of all proposed orders in Word format to the Court through the eworking copies portal.

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

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

Uncited proposed instructions must not be numbered, titled, or carry any identifying headers, footers, or page numbers.

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

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)

The opposing party must mark objections with brackets in blue or black ink-pen (or electronic text box) on the page next to the highlighted portion, tab the page with a post-it note, cite the applicable rule as the reason, and avoid lengthy objection narratives.

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.) Reason for objections should be noted by citing the applicable rule. (ie. Hearsay, ER904, etc.) Do not include lengthy narratives about objections.

The opposing party must highlight counter-designations in a color different from the moving party's (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)

The moving party must mark objections to counter-designations with brackets in a different color ink-pen (black or blue) or text box on the page next to the highlighted portion, tab the page with a post-it note, and cite the applicable rule as the reason.

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.)

Format

DOCX

Deposition designation charts emailed to the bailiff must be in Word format.

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.

Deposition designations and objections intended for trial must be marked according to the court's guidelines.

If the parties intend to use depositions in trial, designations and objections shall be marked according to the guidelines provided here.

Recording of proceedings by any means is prohibited without prior Court permission.

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

Format

DOCX

Proposed orders must be submitted in Word format.

Proposed orders in Word format are required as well.

Attachments or exhibits exceeding 25 pages must be numbered consecutively through the entire document, and all motions, oppositions, replies, and briefs must cite to those page numbers or the Court may delay the hearing.

“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. All motions, oppositions, replies, and briefs shall cite to these page numbers. 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.

Attachments/exhibits exceeding 25 pages must have consecutive page numbering (bottom center or right) that does not restart per attachment, must be cited in motions, oppositions, replies, and briefs, and noncompliance can delay the hearing.

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 the voluminous document. 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.

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

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

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.

Format

DOCX

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

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

Format

DOCX

Proposed orders must be submitted in Word format.

Proposed orders should be submitted in Word format.

Format

DOCX

The proposed order for deposition designations must be submitted in Word format.

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.

Required

Always

Judge Robertson's name must be clearly marked on all submissions in criminal matters.

Please make sure Judge Robertson’s name is clearly marked on all submissions.

Format

DOCX

Proposed orders submitted to the Court must be in Word format.

All motions should be submitted with a proposed order in Word format to the Court by emailing them to the bailiff at port.court@kingcounty.gov.

Unattached exhibits in a deposition must be stapled or secured inside the back cover of the deposition.

Otherwise, all unattached exhibits in a deposition should be stapled or secured inside the back cover of the deposition.

Parties must highlight the portions of exhibits upon which they place substantial reliance, per LCR 7(b)(5)(B)(iv).

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.”

Format

DOCX

Signed stipulated orders may be emailed to the bailiff and must be in Word format.

Signed stipulated orders may be emailed to the court’s bailiff for consideration in Word format.

Format

DOCX

The court's copy of proposed jury instructions must be submitted in Word format.

The court's copy should be emailed to the bailiff and submitted in Word format.

Format

DOCX

Proposed orders must be provided in Word format.

Judge Vargas requests a Word version of all proposed orders.

Working copies must show the judge's name and hearing date/time in the upper right-hand corner of the motion's first page.

Working copies should have the judge’s name and the date and time of the hearing in the upper right-hand corner of the first page of the motion.

Depositions must not be marked as exhibits; deposition exhibits may be marked in evidence, and unattached deposition exhibits must be stapled or secured inside the back cover.

Depositions are not to be marked as an exhibit since they are part of the court file. Exhibits to the deposition may be marked as exhibits in evidence. Otherwise, all unattached exhibits in a deposition should be stapled or secured inside the back cover of the deposition.

Time estimates on the witness examination form must be expressed in tenths of hours (e.g., .1, .2, .5, 1.0).

Use tenths of hours for estimates, i.e. .1, .2, .5, 1.0 etc.

Required

Always

Zoom participants must log in at least 10 minutes before the meeting time.

Log in at least 10 minutes before the meeting time.

Required

Always

Court attire is required when appearing via Zoom.

Court attire is required.

Participants must log on promptly at the scheduled hearing time, as late attendees may not be admitted to the Zoom meeting.

Log on promptly at the time of your scheduled hearing. Late attendees may not be admitted into the Zoom meeting.

Participants must have video and audio capability enabled for Zoom hearings.

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

Participants must mute themselves when not actively speaking during Zoom hearings.

Please mute yourself when you are not actively speaking.

Zoom hearings are formal court proceedings, and participants must avoid distracting conduct or environments such as public spaces, driving, walking, or people moving in the background.

Although the hearing is by Zoom, please remember this is a formal court proceeding. Please conduct yourself accordingly and take steps to minimize anything that would detract from the integrity of the proceedings. a. This includes being in a public space while on Zoom, driving while on Zoom, walking while on Zoom, having people in and out of the background of the Zoom, or otherwise doing anything that would be distracting to the court or the parties while on Zoom.

Margins

1 in

Jury instructions should be prepared in size 12 Times New Roman, double-spaced with no extra space between paragraphs, and justified 1-inch margins.

For uniformity, we would prefer to use the following guidelines for preparation of jury instructions: Size 12 Times New Roman font. Double-spaced (Do not add space between paragraphs. Everything should be double spaced consistenty.). Justified 1-inch margins.

Format

DOCX

All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format.

Department 9 strives to be a paperless court. Judge Scott requests a Word version of all proposed orders.

Required

Always

Parties must watch Virtual Meeting Tips before appearing via Zoom.

Watch Virtual Meeting Tips.

Required

Always

Parties must test their internet connection before their court appearance.

Test your internet connection prior to your appearance in court.

Counsel must ensure their witnesses and clients have watched Virtual Meeting Tips before appearing.

Ensure your witnesses and clients have also watched Virtual Meeting Tips.

Counsel must practice with each witness or client before joining the hearing or trial.

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

Required

Always

Court attire is required for Zoom appearances before Judge Cary.

Court attire is required.

Required

Always

Parties must log in to the Zoom hearing at least 10 minutes before the meeting time.

Log in at least 10 minutes before the meeting time.

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

If the parties intend to use depositions in trial, designations and objections shall be marked according to these guidelines.

Witness time estimates must be expressed in tenths of an hour (e.g., .1, .2, .5, 1.0).

Use tenths of an hour for estimates, i.e., .1, .2, .5, 1.0, etc.

If there are additional parties, the witness information for each additional party must be completed on an additional page.

If there are additional parties, complete the information for that party’s witnesses on an additional page.

Working copies must be marked in the upper right corner with the note date of consideration or hearing, Judge Crisalli's name, and the presenting party.

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

Format

PDF

Deposition designations and objections follow a color-coding convention (moving party highlights/yellow, opposing objections in blue, counter-designations in green, moving objections in black) generally prepared electronically on a PDF.

It is generally easiest to make the designations and objections electronically on a PDF. Moving Party marks their designations with brackets / highlights in a particular color (e.g., yellow). Opposing Party notes their objections in text of a particular color (e.g., blue) on the page next to the highlighted portion to which they are objecting, referencing a rule or using a code for which a coding convention is provided. Opposing Party marks their counter-designations with brackets / highlights in a different color from that used by the moving party (e.g., green). Moving Party notes their objections in text of a different color (e.g., black) on the page next to the highlighted portion of the counter-designation to which they are objecting, referencing a rule or using a code for which a coding convention is provided.

When submitting pleadings, parties must comply with LCR 7(b)(5)(B)(iv) by highlighting the portions of exhibits on 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."

Deposition designations and objections intended for use at trial must be marked according to the court's designated guidelines.

If the parties intend to use depositions in trial, designations and objections shall be marked according to these guidelines.

Required

Always

Participants in virtual proceedings must set their Zoom display names using the department's role-prefix conventions (PLT, P/C, DEF, D/C, WTN, Observer) followed by their name and pronouns.

Per local rules and standing orders, some proceedings are virtual, held via the Zoom platform. Before entering, each Participant should set their name within Zoom according to the following conventions:

Required

Always

Virtual participants must confirm in advance hardware and internet connections supporting at least 2 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload.

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 (which may be confirmed using speed test sites such as "www.speedtest.net" or by typing "speed test" into your internet search engine).

Required

Always

Virtual participants must appear from a distraction-free setting, and appearing while driving is prohibited.

Participants must be in a distraction-free setting. Appearing while driving is NOT allowed.

Format

DOCX

Proposed orders must be submitted via Working Copies in editable Word (.doc) format whenever possible, with the proponent's electronic signature (digitally certified, 's/', or electronic image).

Parties should submit proposed orders via Working Copies that make clear precisely what the Party is asking the Court to do. Whenever possible, the proposed order should be submitted in editable Word (.doc) format, with the proponent's signature included in electronic format—whether a digitally certified signature, "s/" signature, or electronic image of the person's signature. See General Rule 30; RCW 1.80.010(10).

Format

DOCX

Proposed orders, stipulated proposed orders, and working papers must be submitted in Word format.

Please submit all proposed orders, stipulated proposed orders, and working papers, in Word format, through the King County Superior Court e-working papers portal

Parties may use hyperlinks in briefs if they will assist the court.

A party may utilize hyperlinks in briefs if they determine it will assist the court.

Participants are encouraged to inform the Bailiff of their personal pronouns and to indicate them within written submissions and Zoom names.

Consistent with General Rule 43, any and all participants in court proceedings before Department 38 are encouraged to inform the Bailiff of their personal pronouns, to indicate the same within any written submissions, and for virtual proceedings to indicate the same within their Zoom name (as Judge Flevaris does).

Written submissions should regularly refer to parties by individualized name or unique identifier rather than generic role; first-name references are acceptable where parties share a surname and need no disclaimer.

To promote clarity and ease of comprehension in briefing, declarations, and other written submissions, Parties and other persons should be regularly referred to by individualized name or other unique identifier rather than only generic role (e.g., "Plaintiff Smith" rather than just "Plaintiff").