Technical issues with a new web page may have interfered with the receipt and processing of some public comments on proposed Washington court rule changes set to be considered for adoption by the Washington Supreme Court at its July 10 administrative en banc conference. Because of this concern, the Court’s Rules Committee recommended the Supreme Court defer action in order to ensure that all comments can be received and considered.
Anyone who has submitted a comment through the Court Rules web page since January 1, 2024, and whose comment is not posted on the website, can resubmit the comment to rulescomments@courts.wa.gov no later than August 23, 2024. The Court will plan to take action on these pending rules at its September en banc administrative conference.
The Administrative Office of the Courts recently has been previewing a new Court Rules website and some technical issues are still being addressed. There may have been some comments on proposed rules published in the recent rule-making cycle, January through April 30, 2024, that were not received and processed.
To check if a comment on a proposed court rule was received by the Court, visit the Proposed Rules Published for Comment page here and here to find rules proposed in January 2024. Clicking on a proposed rule brings up all comments received. If a comment is not found, it can be resubmitted by the August 23 deadline.
Commenters may also email rulescomments@courts.wa.gov to ask whether a comment submitted on a proposed court rule since January 1, 2024, was received by the Court. It is important to identify the number of the proposed rule in the email.
Washington’s court system is governed through a system of rules known as Washington Rules of Court or “Court Rules.” The purpose of court rules is to provide necessary governance of court procedures and practices and to promote justice by ensuring a fair and expeditious process. The Court Rules process is detailed in General Court Rule 9 (GR 9). Court rule changes are adopted by the Washington Supreme Court.
Wendy K. Ferrell
Judicial Communications Manager
360.705.5331
e-mail Wendy.Ferrell@courts.wa.gov
Lorrie Thompson
Communications Officer
360.705.5347
Lorrie.Thompson@courts.wa.gov