The superior court shall have original jurisdiction in all cases in equity, and in all cases at law which involve the title or possession of real property, or the legality of any tax, impost, assessment, toll or municipal fine, and in all other cases in which the demand or the value of the property in controversy amounts to three hundred dollars, and in all criminal cases amounting to felony, and in all cases of misdemeanor not otherwise provided for by law; of actions of forcible entry and detainer; of proceedings in insolvency; of actions to prevent or abate a nuisance; of all matters of probate, of divorce and for annulment of marriage, and for such special cases and proceedings as are not otherwise provided for; and shall also have original jurisdiction in all cases and of all proceedings in which jurisdiction shall not have been by law vested exclusively in some other court, and shall have the power of naturalization and to issue papers therefor. Said courts and their judges shall have power to issue writs of mandamus, quo warranto, review, certiorari, prohibition and writs of habeas corpus on petition by or on behalf of any person in actual custody in their respective counties. Injunctions and writs of prohibition and of habeas corpus may be issued on legal holidays and nonjudicial days.
[ 1955 c 38 § 3; 1890 p 342 § 5; RRS § 15; ]
The superior courts shall have such appellate jurisdiction in cases arising in courts of limited jurisdiction in their respective counties as may be prescribed by law.
[ 1987 c 202 § 102; 1890 p 343 § 6; RRS § 17; ]
The superior courts are courts of record, and shall be always open, except on nonjudicial days. They shall hold their sessions at the county seats of the several counties, respectively, and at such other places within the county as are designated by the judge or judges thereof with the approval of the chief justice of the supreme court of this state and of the governing body of the county. They shall hold regular and special sessions in the several counties of this state at such times as may be prescribed by the judge or judges thereof.
[ 1971 ex.s. c 60 § 1; 1890 p 343 § 7; RRS § 18; ]
Adjournments from day to day, or from time to time, are to be construed as recesses in the sessions, and shall not prevent the court from sitting at any time.
[ 1890 p 343 § 8; RRS § 26; ]
The seals of the superior courts of the several counties of the state shall be, until otherwise provided by law, the vignette of General George Washington, with the words "Seal of the Superior Court of . . . . . . County, State of Washington," surrounding the vignette.
[ 1890 p 345 § 17; RRS § 38; ]
There shall be in each of the counties a superior court. Judges of the superior court shall be elected at the general election in November, 1952, and every four years thereafter.
[ 1951 c 125 § 2; 1949 c 237 §§ 1-5, part; 1945 c 20 § 1, part; 1933 ex.s. c 63 §§ 1-3, part; 1927 c 135 § 1, part; Rem. Supp. 1949 §§ 11045-1f-1i, part; Rem. Supp. 1945 §§ 11045-1d & 1e, part; RRS §§ 11045-1, 1a, 1b, 1c, part; 1925 ex.s. c 66 §§ 1-3, part; 1925 ex.s. c 132 §§ 1-4, part; 1917 c 97 §§ 1-5, part; 1913 c 17 §§ 1-4, part; 1911 c 40 §§ 1-3, part; 1911 c 62 §§ 1-3, part; 1911 c 76 §§ 1-3, part; 1911 c 129 §§ 1-3, part; 1911 c 131 §§ 1-2, part; 1909 c 10 §§ 1-3, part; 1909 c 12 §§ 1-3, part; 1909 c 52 §§ 1-3, part; 1909 c 94 §§ 1-3, part; 1907 c 79 §§ 1-3, part; 1907 c 106 § 1, part; 1907 c 178 §§ 1-2, part; 1905 c 9 §§ 1-3, part; 1905 c 36 §§ 1-4, part; 1903 c 50 § 1, part; 1895 c 89 § 1, part; 1891 c 68 §§ 1-3, part; 1890 p 341 § 1, part; ]
There shall be in the county of King no more than fifty-eight judges of the superior court; in the county of Spokane thirteen judges of the superior court; and in the county of Pierce twenty-four judges of the superior court.
[ 1997 c 347 § 3; 1996 c 208 § 3; 1992 c 189 § 1; 1989 c 328 § 2; 1987 c 323 § 1; 1985 c 357 § 1; 1980 c 183 § 1; 1979 ex.s. c 202 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 311 § 1; 1973 1st ex.s. c 27 § 1; 1971 ex.s. c 83 § 5; 1969 ex.s. c 213 § 1; 1967 ex.s. c 84 § 1; 1963 c 48 § 1; 1961 c 67 § 1; 1955 c 176 § 1; 1951 c 125 § 3; 1949 c 237 §§ 1, 3; 1933 ex.s. c 63 § 1; 1927 c 135 § 1, part; 1925 ex.s. c 66 § 1; 1911 c 76 § 1; 1909 c 52 § 1; 1909 c 12 § 1; 1909 c 10 § 1; 1907 c 106 § 1; 1907 c 79 § 1, part; 1905 c 9 § 1; 1895 c 89 § 1, part; 1891 c 68 § 2; 1890 p 341 § 1, part; Rem. Supp. 1949 §§ 11045-1f, 11045-1h; RRS §§ 11045-1, 11045-1a, part; ]
There shall be in the county of Chelan four judges of the superior court; in the county of Douglas one judge of the superior court; in the county of Clark eleven judges of the superior court; in the county of Grays Harbor three judges of the superior court; in the county of Kitsap eight judges of the superior court; in the county of Kittitas two judges of the superior court; in the county of Lewis three judges of the superior court.
[ 2020 c 53 § 1; 2003 c 96 § 1; 1998 c 270 § 1; 1996 c 208 § 1; 1995 c 117 § 1; 1992 c 189 § 2; 1990 c 186 § 1; 1987 c 323 § 2; 1985 c 357 § 2; 1979 ex.s. c 202 § 2; 1977 ex.s. c 311 § 2; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 79 § 1; 1971 ex.s. c 83 § 4; 1967 ex.s. c 84 § 2; 1963 c 48 § 2; 1951 c 125 § 4; 1945 c 20 § 1, part; 1927 c 135 § 1, part; 1911 c 131 § 1; 1907 c 79 § 1, part; 1907 c 178 § 1, part; 1905 c 36 § 1, part; 1895 c 89 § 1, part; 1891 c 68 § 3, part; 1890 p 341 § 1, part; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 11045-1d, part; RRS § 11045-1, part; ]
There shall be in the county of Lincoln one judge of the superior court; in the county of Skagit, four judges of the superior court; in the county of Walla Walla, two judges of the superior court; in the county of Whitman, one judge of the superior court; in the county of Yakima, eight judges of the superior court; in the county of Adams, one judge of the superior court; in the county of Whatcom, four judges of the superior court.
[ 2013 c 210 § 1; 2005 c 95 § 1; 1998 c 270 § 2; 1992 c 189 § 3; 1988 c 66 § 1; 1975 1st ex.s. c 49 § 1; 1973 1st ex.s. c 27 § 2; 1971 ex.s. c 83 § 1; 1963 c 48 § 3; 1955 c 19 § 1; 1951 c 125 § 5; 1949 c 237 §§ 2, 4; 1945 c 20 § 1, part; 1927 c 135 § 1, part; 1917 c 97 § 5, part; 1911 c 62 § 1; 1911 c 129 § 2, part; 1907 c 79 § 1, part; 1895 c 89 § 1, part; 1891 c 68 § 3, part; 1890 p 341 § 1, part; Rem. Supp. 1949 §§ 11045-1j, 11045-1i; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 11045-1d, part; RRS § 11045-1, part; ]
There shall be in the counties of Benton and Franklin jointly, seven judges of the superior court; in the county of Clallam, three judges of the superior court; in the county of Jefferson, one judge of the superior court; in the county of Snohomish, 17 judges of the superior court; in the counties of Asotin, Columbia and Garfield jointly, one judge of the superior court; in the county of Cowlitz, five judges of the superior court; in the counties of Klickitat and Skamania jointly, one judge of the superior court.
[ 2022 c 46 § 1; 2013 c 142 § 1; 2006 c 20 § 1; 2003 c 96 § 2; 1997 c 347 § 1; 1993 sp.s. c 14 § 1; 1992 c 189 § 4; 1989 c 328 § 3; 1985 c 357 § 3; 1982 c 139 § 2; 1981 c 65 § 1; 1979 ex.s. c 202 § 3; 1977 ex.s. c 311 § 3; 1974 ex.s. c 192 § 1; 1971 ex.s. c 83 § 3; 1969 ex.s. c 213 § 2; 1967 ex.s. c 84 § 3; 1963 c 35 § 1; 1961 c 67 § 2; 1955 c 19 § 2; 1951 c 125 § 6; 1945 c 20 § 1, part; 1927 c 135 § 1, part; 1925 ex.s. c 132 § 1; 1917 c 97 §§ 1-3; 1911 c 40 § 1; 1911 c 129 §§ 1, 2, part; 1907 c 79 § 1, part; 1905 c 36 § 1, part; 1895 c 89 § 1, part; 1891 c 68 §§ 1, 3, part; 1890 p 341 § 1, part; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 11045-1d, part; RRS § 11045-1, part; ]
There shall be in the county of Grant, three judges of the superior court; in the county of Okanogan, two judges of the superior court; in the county of Mason, three judges of the superior court; in the county of Thurston, nine judges of the superior court; in the counties of Pacific and Wahkiakum jointly, one judge of the superior court; in the counties of Ferry, Pend Oreille, and Stevens jointly, three judges of the superior court; in the county of San Juan, one judge of the superior court; and in the county of Island, two judges of the superior court.
[ 2021 c 63 § 1; 2020 c 53 § 3; 2014 c 169 § 1; 2007 c 95 § 1; 1999 c 245 § 1; 1996 c 208 § 5; 1992 c 189 § 5; 1990 c 186 § 2; 1986 c 76 § 1; 1981 c 65 § 2; 1979 ex.s. c 202 § 4; 1977 ex.s. c 311 § 4; 1973 1st ex.s. c 27 § 3; 1971 ex.s. c 83 § 2; 1969 ex.s. c 213 § 3; 1955 c 159 § 1; 1951 c 125 § 7; 1927 c 135 § 1, part; 1917 c 97 §§ 4, 5, part; 1913 c 17 § 1; 1911 c 131 § 2; 1907 c 79 § 1, part; 1907 c 178 § 1, part; 1903 c 50 § 1, part; 1895 c 89 § 1, part; 1891 c 68 §§ 1, 3, part; 1890 p 341 § 1, part; RRS § 11045-1, part; ]
Unless otherwise provided, upon the taking effect of any act providing for additional judges of the superior court and thereby creating a vacancy, the governor shall appoint a person to hold the office until the election and qualification of a judge to fill the vacancy, which election shall be at the next succeeding general election, and the judge so elected shall hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term.
[ 1955 c 38 § 4; 1951 c 125 § 8; ]
The judges of the superior court elected under the provisions of RCW 2.08.060 through 2.08.065 shall hold their offices for the term of four years from and after the second Monday in January next succeeding their election, and until their successors are elected and qualified.
[ 1927 c 135 § 2; RRS § 11045-2; ]
Every judge of a superior court shall, before entering upon the duties of his or her office, take and subscribe an oath that he or she will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of Washington, and will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of judge to the best of his or her ability, which oath shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state. Such oath or affirmation to be in form substantially the same as prescribed for justices of the supreme court.
[ 2011 c 336 § 13; 1971 c 81 § 5; 1890 p 344 § 15; RRS § 11051; ]
The annual salary of the judges of the superior court shall be established by the Washington citizens' commission on salaries for elected officials.
[ 1986 c 155 § 6; 1984 c 258 § 403; ]
The county auditor of each county shall pay superior court judges in the same means and manner provided for all other elected officials.
[ 1997 c 204 § 1; 1939 c 189 § 1; 1893 c 30 § 1; 1890 p 329 § 2; RRS § 10967; ]
Where there is only one judge of the superior court for two or more counties, the auditors thereof, acting together, shall apportion among or between such counties, according to the assessed valuation of their taxable property, the amount of such judge's salary that each county shall pay.
[ 1890 p 329 § 3; RRS § 10968; ]
Whenever a judge of the superior court shall serve a district comprising more than one county, such judge shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in connection with business of the court in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060 as now existing or hereafter amended for travel from his or her residence to the other county or counties in his or her district and return.
[ 2011 c 336 § 14; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 34 § 1; ]
If a vacancy occurs in the office of judge of the superior court, the governor shall appoint a person to hold the office until the election and qualification of a judge to fill the vacancy, which election shall be at the next succeeding general election, and the judge so elected shall hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term.
During any vacancy that occurs pursuant to subsection (1) of this section in a single judge court, a presiding judge pro tempore who has been predesignated pursuant to court rule or appointed pursuant to RCW 2.56.040(2) may fulfill presiding judge duties, and the authority of the predesignated or appointed presiding judge pro tempore endures until the chief justice appoints someone else to fulfill the presiding judge duties pursuant to RCW 2.56.040(2)(b), or until a vacancy in the position is filled as provided by law, whichever occurs first.
[ 2022 c 74 § 3; 1955 c 38 § 5; 1890 p 342 § 4; 1937 c 15 § 2; RRS § 11049; ]
Whenever a judge of the superior court of any county in this state, or a majority of such judges in any county in which there is more than one judge of said court, shall request the governor of the state to direct a judge of the superior court of any other county to hold a session of the superior court of any such county as is first herein above mentioned, the governor shall thereupon request and direct a judge of the superior court of some other county, making such selection as the governor shall deem to be most consistent with the state of judicial business in other counties, to hold a session of the superior court in the county the judge shall have requested the governor as aforesaid. Such request and direction by the governor shall be made in writing, and shall specify the county in which he or she directs the superior judge to whom the same is addressed to hold such session of the superior court, and the period during which he or she is to hold such session. Thereupon it shall be the duty of the superior judge so requested, and he or she is hereby empowered to hold a session of the superior court of the county specified by the governor, at the seat of judicial business thereof, during the period specified by the governor, and in such quarters as the county commissioners of said county may provide for the holding of such session.
[ 2011 c 336 § 15; 1893 c 43 § 1; RRS § 27; 1890 p 343 § 10; ]
Whenever a like request shall be addressed by the judge, or by a majority of the judges (if there be more than one) of the superior court of any county to the superior judge of any other county, he or she is hereby empowered, if he or she deem it consistent with the state of judicial business in the county or counties whereof he or she is a superior judge (and in such case it shall be his or her duty to comply with such request), to hold a session of the superior court of the county the judge or judges whereof shall have made such request, at the seat of judicial business of such county, in such quarters as shall be provided for such session by the board of county commissioners, and during such period as shall have been specified in the request, or such shorter period as he or she may deem necessary by the state of judicial business in the county or counties whereof he or she is a superior judge.
[ 2011 c 336 § 16; 1893 c 43 § 2; RRS § 28; 1890 p 343 § 10; ]
In any county where there shall be more than one superior judge, or in which a superior judge of another county may be holding a session of the superior court, as provided in RCW 2.08.140 through 2.08.170, there may be as many sessions of the superior court at the same time as there are judges thereof, or assigned to duty therein by the governor, or responding to a request made as provided in RCW 2.08.150. In such cases the business of the court shall be so distributed and assigned by law, or in the absence of legislation therefor, by such rules and orders of the court as shall best promote and secure the convenient and expeditious transaction thereof. Judgments, decrees, orders and proceedings of any session of the superior court held by one or more of the judges of said court, or by any judge of the superior court of another county pursuant to the provisions of RCW 2.08.140 through 2.08.170, shall be equally effectual as if all the judges of such court presided at such session.
[ 1893 c 43 § 3; RRS § 29; 1890 p 341 § 2; ]
Any judge of the superior court of any county in this state who shall hold a session of the superior court of any other county, in pursuance of the provisions of RCW 2.08.140 through 2.08.170 shall be entitled to receive from the county in which he or she shall hold such sessions reimbursement for subsistence, lodging, and travel expenses in accordance with the rates applicable to state officers under RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060 as now or hereafter amended. The county clerk of such county shall, upon the presentation to him or her by such judge of a statement of such expenses, verified by his or her affidavit, issue to such judge a certificate that he or she is entitled to the amount thereof; and upon presentation of such certificate to the auditor of such county he or she shall draw a warrant on the current expense fund of such county for the amount in favor of such judge.
[ 2011 c 336 § 17; 1981 c 186 § 3; 1893 c 43 § 4; RRS § 30; 1890 p 329 § 4; ]
A case in the superior court of any county may be tried by a judge pro tempore, who must be either: (1) A member of the bar, agreed upon in writing by the parties litigant, or their attorneys of record, approved by the court, and sworn to try the case; or (2) pursuant to supreme court rule, any sitting elected judge. Any action in the trial of such cause shall have the same effect as if it was made by a judge of such court. However, if a previously elected judge of the superior court retires leaving a pending case in which the judge has made discretionary rulings, the judge is entitled to hear the pending case as a judge pro tempore without any written agreement.
A judge pro tempore shall, before entering upon his or her duties in any cause, take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation:
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be,) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Washington, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of judge pro tempore in the cause wherein . . . . . . is plaintiff and . . . . . . defendant, according to the best of my ability."
A judge pro tempore who is a practicing attorney and who is not a retired justice of the supreme court or judge of a superior court of the state of Washington, or who is not an active judge of a court of the state of Washington, shall receive a compensation of one-two hundred fiftieth of the annual salary of a superior court judge for each day engaged in said trial, to be paid in the same manner as the salary of the superior judge. A judge who is an active full-time judge of a court of the state of Washington shall receive no compensation as judge pro tempore. A judge who is an active part-time judge of a court of the state of Washington may receive compensation as a judge pro tempore only when sitting as a judge pro tempore during time for which he or she is not compensated as a part-time judge. A justice or judge who has retired from the supreme court, court of appeals, or superior court of the state of Washington shall receive compensation as judge pro tempore in the amount of sixty percent of the amount payable to a judge pro tempore under this section, provided that a retired justice or judge may decline to accept compensation.
[ 2005 c 142 § 1; 2003 c 247 § 1; 2002 c 137 § 1; 1987 c 73 § 1; 1971 c 81 § 6; 1967 c 149 § 1; 1890 p 343 § 11; RRS § 40; ]
An attorney may not serve as a superior court judge pro tempore or a superior court commissioner pro tempore in a judicial district while appointed to or serving on a case in that judicial district as a guardian ad litem for compensation under Title 11, 13, or 26 RCW, if that judicial district is contained within division one or two of the court of appeals and has a population of more than one hundred thousand.
[ 1996 c 249 § 12; ]
Any judge of the superior court of the state of Washington shall have power, in any county within his or her district: (1) To sign all necessary orders and papers in probate matters pending in any other county in his or her district; (2) to issue restraining orders, and to sign the necessary orders of continuance in actions or proceedings pending in any other county in his or her district; (3) to decide and rule upon all motions, demurrers, issues of fact, or other matters that may have been submitted to him or her in any other county. All such rulings and decisions shall be in writing and shall be filed immediately with the clerk of the proper county: PROVIDED, That nothing herein contained shall authorize the judge to hear any matter outside of the county wherein the cause or proceeding is pending, except by consent of the parties.
[ 2011 c 336 § 18; 1901 c 57 § 1; RRS § 41; ]
Any judge of the superior court of the state of Washington who shall have heard any cause, either upon motion, demurrer, issue of fact, or other matter in any county out of his or her district, may decide, rule upon, and determine the same in any county in this state, which decision, ruling, and determination shall be in writing and shall be filed immediately with the clerk of the county where such cause is pending.
[ 2011 c 336 § 19; 1901 c 57 § 2; RRS § 42; ]
The process of the superior courts shall extend to all parts of the state: PROVIDED, That all actions for the recovery of the possession of, quieting the title to, or for the enforcement of liens upon, real estate, shall be commenced in the county in which the real estate, or any part thereof, affected by such action or actions is situated.
[ 1890 p 343 § 9; RRS § 32; ]
Unless otherwise provided by statute, all process issuing out of the court shall be directed to the sheriff of the county in which it is to be served, and be by him or her executed according to law.
[ 2011 c 336 § 20; 1891 c 45 § 5; RRS § 35; ]
The judges of the superior courts shall, from time to time, establish uniform rules for the government of the superior courts.
[ 1890 p 344 § 13; RRS § 36; ]
Every case submitted to a judge of a superior court for his or her decision shall be decided by him or her within ninety days from the submission thereof: PROVIDED, That if within said period of ninety days a rehearing shall have been ordered, then the period within which he or she is to decide shall commence at the time the cause is submitted upon such rehearing, and upon willful failure of any such judge so to do, he or she shall be deemed to have forfeited his or her office.
[ 2011 c 336 § 21; 1890 p 344 § 12; RRS § 39; ]
Superior judges shall, on or before the first day of November in each year, report in writing to the judges of the supreme court, such defects and omissions in the laws as their experience may suggest.
[ 1890 p 344 § 14; RRS § 11050; ]