Thurston County Superior Court, Washington Filing Timing and Cure Windows

CRITICAL

Deadline

2 business days

Reply briefs must be filed before noon two business days before the scheduled hearing, unless the court or a state-wide law or rule provides otherwise.

Briefs and all supporting documents shall be submitted on the following schedules, unless the court orders otherwise or a state-wide law or rule provides otherwise: Civil motions. Reply briefs shall be filed and served before 12:00 noon, two business days before the date scheduled for hearing.

CRITICAL

Deadline

3 business days

In recall petitions, the opening brief is due three business days after the petition, response briefs six business days after, and the proponent’s reply seven business days after, at the stated times.

Briefs in recall petitions shall be filed and served on the following schedule: the recall proponent’s opening brief is due by 5:00 p.m. three business days after the petition is filed, response briefs are due at noon six business days after the petition is filed, and the proponent’s reply brief is due at noon seven business days after the petition is filed.

CRITICAL

You cannot present the motion after the judge has heard all scheduled matters and left the bench.

You cannot present your motion after the judge has heard all scheduled matters and left the bench.

CRITICAL

Deadline

3 court days

All responding documents must be filed before noon three court days before the motion calendar day.

(2) All responding documents must be filed and served before noon three court days before the motion calendar day (for example, by noon Thursday for a Tuesday calendar).

CRITICAL

The required Motion, Declaration, and Order must be presented no later than 3:00 pm on the day before the applicable calendar.

The attorney must present the Motion, Declaration and Order Regarding Participation in Hearing by Person in Custody for the judicial officer’s signature no later than 3:00 pm the day before the applicable calendar.

CRITICAL

Deadline

2 court days

Reply documents must be filed before noon two court days before the motion calendar day; late responding or reply documents may be stricken, continued, or otherwise sanctioned.

(3) All reply documents must be filed and served before noon, two court days preceding the motion calendar day (for example, by noon Friday for a Tuesday calendar). Upon objection, or at the discretion of the Court, late filing of responding and reply documents may result in striking the documents or a continuance and terms, or any other sanction that may be deemed appropriate by the Court.

CRITICAL

Deadline

6 court days

The notice of hearing, motions, briefs, and supporting documents must be filed before 5:00 p.m. six court days before the motion calendar day; violations may be stricken or continued upon objection, and civil-rule or statutory notice requirements for dispositive motions remain unaffected.

(1) The notice of hearing, motions, briefs, and all supporting documents must be filed and served before 5:00 p.m. six court days before the motion calendar day (for example, by 5:00 p.m. on Monday of the week preceding a Tuesday calendar). Motions may not be scheduled for a hearing before filing the motion and any declarations. Upon objection, motions that violate this requirement may be stricken or continued. This rule does not affect the notice requirements of the Civil Rules or any statute regarding dispositive motions.

CRITICAL

Deadline

2 court days

The specified proposals and trial brief must be filed with the clerk, provided as a judge’s copy, and served by noon two court days before the trial week.

These proposals as well as a trial brief shall be filed with the clerk, submitted as a judge’s copy to court administration, and served on opposing counsel or self-represented party by 12:00 p.m., 2 court days prior to the week of trial.

CRITICAL

A notice to strike a motion must be filed as soon as the attorney or party learns the case will not proceed with the motion.

Notices to strike motions must be filed as soon as the attorney/party is aware that the case will not be proceeding with the motion.

CRITICAL

Even if you cannot file before calling about an emergency or time-sensitive motion, you must file the motion and supporting documents before the Court can decide it.

If you are unable to file your motion and supporting documents before calling, you will still need to file them before the Court can decide your motion.

CRITICAL

The required emergency-motion papers must be filed by 11:00 a.m. on the day of the scheduled hearing.

To schedule an emergency motion, you will need to first file a notice of hearing, the motion, supporting materials, proposed order(s), and cover sheet for your proposed order(s), no later than 11:00 am the day of the scheduled hearing.

CRITICAL

A party objecting that a case is not ready for trial setting must file and serve the objection by noon three business days before the administrative-calendar date.

A party may object that a case is not ready for a trial setting by filing and serving an objection no later than 12:00 noon, 3 business days prior to the date set on

CRITICAL

File unlawful detainer administrative-session documents with the Clerk by noon on the Monday immediately before the Wednesday session; the calendar is limited to 25 motions per week.

File your documents with the Clerk (e-file, mail, or in person). Your documents must be filed by no later than 12:00 noon the Monday immediately before the Wednesday Administrative Session. This calendar is capped at 25 motions per week. You can see if there is room for your motion by looking at the Clerk’s available hearing times report.

CRITICAL

If your notice to strike is filed within five (5) days of the hearing date, parties must comply with the Clerk's procedure regarding expedited fillings and the Court's rule regarding bench copies.

If your notice to strike is filed within five (5) days of the hearing date, parties must comply with the Clerk's procedure regarding expedited fillings and the Court's rule regarding bench copies.

CRITICAL

An electronic document is filed when received by the clerk’s designated computer during business hours; filings by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on a business day are deemed filed that day, while later or non-business-day filings are considered filed the next business day.

An electronic document is considered filed with the clerk when it is received by the clerk’s designated computer during the clerk’s business hours. Any document electronically filed with the clerk by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on a business day shall be deemed filed with the clerk on that date. A document filed after 5:00 p.m. or on a non- business day shall be considered filed on the next business day.

CRITICAL

Deadline

6 business days

Motion briefs and supporting materials must be filed before 5:00 p.m. at least six business days before the hearing, unless these rules provide otherwise or the court or a state-wide law or rule provides otherwise.

Briefs and all supporting documents shall be submitted on the following schedules, unless the court orders otherwise or a state-wide law or rule provides otherwise: Civil motions. Unless otherwise provided in these rules, briefs and all supporting materials for motions shall be filed and served before 5:00 p.m., at least six business days before the hearing.

CRITICAL

Deadline

3 business days

In ballot title appeals, the opening brief is due three business days after the petition, response briefs six business days after, and the reply seven business days after, at the stated times.

Briefs in ballot title appeals shall be filed and served on the following schedule: the petitioner’s opening brief is due by 5:00 p.m. three business days after the petition is filed, response briefs are due at noon six business days after the petition is filed, and the reply brief is due at noon seven business days after the petition is filed.

CRITICAL

Deadline

2 court days

In proceedings involving children, the specified proposed parenting plan, child support order, and worksheets must be provided by noon two court days before the trial week.

In proceedings involving children, each party shall provide, by 12:00 p.m., 2 court days prior to the week of trial, a proposed Parenting Plan (Washington Pattern Form FL All Family 140), a proposed Child Support Order (Washington Pattern Form FL All Family 130), and Child Support Worksheets (Washington Pattern Form WSCSS – Worksheets) for use as trial exhibits.

CRITICAL

Deadline

3 business days

Opposing briefs and materials must be filed before noon three business days before the hearing, unless the court or a state-wide law or rule provides otherwise.

Briefs and all supporting documents shall be submitted on the following schedules, unless the court orders otherwise or a state-wide law or rule provides otherwise: Civil motions. Opposing briefs and materials shall be filed and served before 12:00 noon, three business days before the hearing.

WARNING

The clerk may reject a document that does not comply with electronic filing requirements and must notify the filing party by email of the rejection and its reason.

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

WARNING

The regular unlawful detainer calendar usually runs Fridays from 9:30 a.m. until no later than noon, and motions are usually accepted after scheduled matters are called.

The regular unlawful detainer calendar is most Fridays beginning at 9:30 and ending by no later than 12:00 noon. You can bring your ex parte motion to court during this calendar. The judicial officer will usually accept ex parte motions immediately after all scheduled matters have been called. Depending on the number of scheduled matters, this may be before 12:00 noon.

WARNING

Administrative-calendar motions are generally reviewed weekly beginning Thursday, depending on judicial availability; filers who submit the specified notice need not come to court.

Ex parte motions filed in this manner will generally be reviewed beginning each Thursday depending on the judge's availability. If you have filed a notice of hearing for civil motions and have checked the box for ex parte motions, you will not need to come to court. A judge will review your ex parte motion and supporting documents in chambers and either grant or deny the motion. Ex parte motions filed in this manner will generally be reviewed weekly depending on the judge's availability.

WARNING

For in-person presentation, arrive before 9:00 a.m. and notify the courtroom clerk; if the calendar has started, you may speak with the clerk during a recess.

Arrive before 9:00 a.m. and tell the courtroom clerk that you have an ex parte motion for the judge. If you arrive after the calendar has begun, you may talk to the clerk during a recess.

WARNING

File your documents with the Clerk (e-file, mail, or in person) before calling. You should try to file 2-3 court days in advance.

File your documents with the Clerk (e-file, mail, or in person) before calling. You should try to file 2-3 court days in advance.

INFO

The Court will make every effort to consider proposed orders within two working court days after presentation.

The Court will make every effort to consider proposed orders within 2 working court days of presentation.

INFO

A petitioner in a recall proceeding may file a brief with the petition but is not required to do so.

The petitioner may, but is not required to, file a brief with the petition.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial report

Parties to dependency actions must file a pretrial report no later than 14 days before the assigned trial week.

All parties to dependency actions shall file a pretrial report no later than 14 days before the assigned trial week.

CRITICAL

Deadline

2 business days

Respondents, defendants, and all other parties must file a completed scheduling questionnaire two business days before the trial setting date by 12:00 p.m.

Respondents, defendants, and all other parties must file and serve any completed scheduling questionnaire two business days before the trial setting date by 12:00 p.m.

CRITICAL

Deadline

7 calendar days

Rebuttal documents are due 7 calendar days before the hearing.

Rebuttal documents are due 7 calendar days before the hearing.

CRITICAL

A response to an appeal of right must be filed within 10 days after the notice of appeal of right is filed and served.

Any response to an appeal of right shall be filed within 10 days of the filing and service of a notice of appeal of right.

CRITICAL

Any person who is currently listed on the GALs for Minors or the GALs for Adults Registry and who desires to remain on the registry shall provide an annual update by February 28 of each year

Any person who is currently listed on the GALs for Minors or the GALs for Adults Registry and who desires to remain on the registry shall provide an annual update by February 28 of each year

CRITICAL

Deadline

6 court days

The moving party must ensure the transcript is filed with the court at least six court days before the revision-motion hearing.

A party moving for revision is responsible for ensuring that the transcript of the proceedings is filed with the court at least six court days before the hearing for the motion.

CRITICAL

Deadline

10 court days

The Board must issue its final decision within 10 court days after receiving the response or after the response period expires.

Following consideration of all material submitted, the Board shall issue its final decision within 10 court days following receipt of the guardian ad litem’s or DGAL’s response or passage of the time allowed for response.

CRITICAL

If a party requests a GAL, the Motion to Appoint a GAL must be filed within four months after the initial pleading, and noted to be heard within 14 days of filing.

(E) Appointment of a GAL, if requested by a party, upon a Motion to Appoint a GAL that shall be filed within 4 months after the filing of the initial pleading and noted to be heard within 14 days of its filing.

CRITICAL

Deadline

10 business days

Written notice of settlement must be sent within 10 business days of settlement.

Notice of settlement shall be in writing to the arbitration coordinator within 10 business days of the settlement, with a copy to the arbitrator and the assigned judge.

CRITICAL

The facilitator must file an ADR Report indicating whether the case was resolved within five days after ADR ends.

Within 5 days after the completion of ADR, the facilitator shall file an ADR Report indicating whether the case has been resolved.

CRITICAL

Deadline

45 calendar days

A petitioner’s brief in an administrative-agency appeal must be filed no later than 45 calendar days before oral argument, unless the court or a state-wide law or rule provides otherwise.

Briefs and all supporting documents shall be submitted on the following schedules, unless the court orders otherwise or a state-wide law or rule provides otherwise: Appeals from administrative agency action. The petitioner’s brief shall be filed and served not later than 45 calendar days before oral argument.

CRITICAL

Deadline

10 court days

The Board must mail the initial decision to the complaining person within 10 court days after receiving the complaint.

The Board shall mail the initial decision to the complaining person within 10 court days after receipt of the complaint.

CRITICAL

The guardian ad litem or DGAL must respond in writing to the Board within 15 days after the decision is mailed.

The guardian ad litem or DGAL shall respond in writing to the Board within 15 days of the mailing of the decision.

CRITICAL

A petition for judicial review must be filed and served on the specified recipients within 20 days after the Board mails its final decision.

Judicial review of a Board decision must be commenced by filing a petition for judicial review with the clerk of the court and serving the petition on the Superior Court Administrator, all parties to the underlying action, the complaining person, and the guardian ad litem or DGAL. Filing and service must be obtained within 20 days of the mailing date of the final decision by the Board.

CRITICAL

The completed Family Law Trial Selection Form must be filed by the date set in the Case Schedule Order.

(A) The parties shall fill out and file a Family Law Trial Selection Form by the date set in the Case Schedule Order.

CRITICAL

Parents or other respondents must file a response to a dependency petition within the time requirements applicable to other civil actions.

The parents or other respondents shall file a response to a petition for dependency in accordance with time requirements for other civil actions.

CRITICAL

The Response to Trial Setting form must be filed at least seven days before the administrative-calendar date.

The party responding to the Request for Trial Setting form must file a Response to Trial Setting form at least 7 days before the date set on the administrative calendar.

CRITICAL

The joint notice of settlement is due before the earlier of five days after settlement or the next scheduled court hearing.

The settling parties shall jointly file a written notice of settlement with the court before the earlier of (a) 5 days from the date of the settlement or (b) the date of the next scheduled court hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial report

Parties to the specified family law actions must file a completed pretrial report no later than 30 days before the assigned trial date.

All parties to family law actions (RCW chapters 26.09, 26.26, and 11.130) shall file a completed pretrial report no later than 30 days before the assigned trial date.

CRITICAL

Scheduling must occur within 120 days after the first responsive pleading is filed, unless required mediation is incomplete.

The scheduling shall occur within 120 days of the filing of the first responsive pleading, unless required mediation has not been completed.

CRITICAL

An objection to arbitration requires a hearing on the assigned judge’s civil motion calendar within 14 days of the objection, unless the court orders otherwise.

If a party objects to the notice of arbitrability, the objecting party shall file and serve on the other parties an objection to arbitration before the trial setting date and schedule a hearing on the assigned judge’s civil motion calendar. The hearing must be within 14 days of objecting unless the court orders otherwise.

CRITICAL

The order waiving mediation must be filed before the case is set for trial.

An Order Waiving Mediation shall be granted and filed with the court prior to the case being set for trial.

CRITICAL

A request for trial de novo must include a trial setting date within 30 days after service of the request.

Requests for trial de novo shall include a trial setting date that is within 30 days of service of the request, as provided in the LCAR forms.

CRITICAL

Deadline

7 calendar days

A party who previously agreed to an IFLT may file a motion to opt out at least 7 calendar days before trial week, unless the court modifies or waives the deadline for good cause.

party who has previously agreed to proceed with an IFLT may file a motion to opt out of the IFLT provided that this motion is filed not less than 7 calendar days before the week of trial. This time period may be modified or waived by the court upon a showing of good cause.