The Law Mind

Western District of Washington

W.D. Wash. — local rules, ECF filing procedures, and judges’ standing orders, readable in full.

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Civil Rules (82)
1 Scope And Purpose; Definitions; Prohibition Of Bias
2 Reserved
3 Commencement And Assignment Of Actions
4 Summons
4.1 Serving Other Process
5 Serving And Filing Pleadings And Other Papers
5.1 Reserved
5.2 Redaction Of Filings
6 Computing And Extending Time
7 Form And Scheduling Of Motions
7.1 Corporate Disclosure Statement
8 Pleading
9 Pleading Admiralty And Other Special Matters
10 Form Of Pleadings, Motions And Other Filings
11 Signing Filings; Sanctions
12 Defenses And Objections: When And How Presented; Motion For
13 Through 14
15 Amended Pleadings
16 Pretrial Conferences; Scheduling; Management
16.1 Form Of Pretrial Order
17 Plaintiff And Defendant; Capacity; Public Officers
18 Through 22
23 Class Actions
23.1 Reserved
23.2 Reserved
24 And 25
26 Duty To Disclose; General Provisions Governing Discovery
27 Depositions Before Action Or Pending Appeal
28 Persons Before Whom Depositions May Be Taken
29 Stipulations Regarding Discovery Procedure
30 Depositions By Oral Examination
31 Depositions By Written Questions
32 Using Depositions In Court Proceedings
33 Interrogatories To Parties
34 Production Of Documents And Things And Entry Upon Land For
35 Physical And Mental Examination Of Persons
36 Requests For Admission
37 SUBMISSION Law Firm of Lawyers
38 Right To A Jury Trial; Demand
39 Trial By Jury Or By The Court
39.1 Alternative Dispute Resolution
39.2 Individualized Trial Program
40 Scheduling Cases For Trial
41 Dismissal Of Actions
42 Consolidation
43 Taking Testimony; Marking Exhibits
44 Through 46
47 Jurors
48 Through 50
51 Jury Instructions
52 Through 53
54 Judgment; Costs
55 Default; Default Judgment
56 Summary Judgment Procedure
57 Through 64
65 Temporary Restraining Orders
65.1 Bonds
66 Receivers
67 Registry Funds
68 Through 71.1
72 Magistrate Judges; Pretrial Orders
73 Magistrate Judges; Trial By Consent
74 Through 76
77 Conducting Business; Clerk’S Authority
78 Photography, Broadcasting, And Personal Electronic Devices In
79 Records Kept By The Clerk
80 Through 83
83.1 Attorneys; Admission To Practice
83.2 Attorney Appearance And Withdrawal
83.3 Standards Of Professional Conduct; Continuing Eligibility To
83.4 Legal Interns
84 Reserved
85 Title And Citations
86 Effective Date
87 Referral Of Bankruptcy Cases And Proceedings
88 Bankruptcy Appeals
89 Notice Of Bankruptcy Filing
90 Through 99
100 Petitions For Habeas Corpus Under Title 28 U.S.C 2241 Or 2254 And
101 Removed Cases
102 Complex, Multiple And Multidistrict Litigation
103 Prisoner Complaints Under Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1983
Criminal Rules (83)
1 Scope; Definitions
2 Purpose And Construction
3 The Complaint: Reserved
4 Arrest Warrant Or Summons On A Complaint: Reserved
4.1 Complaint, Warrant, Or Summons By Telephone Or Other Reliable
5 Initial Appearance
5.1 Preliminary Hearing
6 The Grand Jury
7 The Indictment And The Information: Reserved
8 Joinder Of Offenses Or Defendants: Reserved
9 Arrest Warrant Or Summons On An Indictment Or Information:
10 Arraignment
11 Pleas
12 (b)(3)
12.1 Notice Of An Alibi Defense: Reserved
12.2 Notice Of An Insanity Defense; Mental Examination: Reserved
12.3 Notice Of A Public-Authority Defense: Reserved
12.4 Disclosure Statement: Reserved
12.5 Notice Of Entrapment Defense
13 Joint Trial Of Separate Cases
14 Relief From Prejudicial Joinder: Reserved
15 Depositions
16 (d)(2)(iii)
17 Subpoena (Obtaining The Presence Of Witnesses)
17.1 (a)
17.2 Settlement Conferences: Repealed
18 Place Of Prosecution And Trial (Assignment Of Cases)
19 Reserved
20 Transfer For Plea And Sentence: Reserved
21 Transfer For Trial
22 Reserved
23 Jury Or Nonjury Trial: Reserved
23.1 (a)(5)
24 Trial Jurors
25 Judge’S Disability: Reserved
26 Taking Of Testimony (And Exhibit Handling)
26.1 Foreign Law Determination: Reserved
26.2 Producing A Witness’S Statement: Reserved
26.3 Mistrial: Reserved
27 Proving An Official Record: Reserved
28 Interpreters: Reserved
29 Motion For A Judgment Of Acquittal: Reserved
29.1 Closing Argument: Reserved
30 (a)
31 Jury Verdict
32 Sentencing And Judgment
32.1 Revoking Or Modifying Probation Or Supervised Release
32.2 Criminal Forfeiture: Reserved
33 New Trial: Reserved
34 Arresting Judgment: Reserved
35 Correcting Or Reducing A Sentence
36 Clerical Error: Reserved
37 Ruling On A Motion For Relief That Is Barred By A Pending Appeal:
38 Staying A Sentence, Court Registry Funds Or A Disability
39 Reserved
40 Arrest For Failing To Appear In Another District Or For Violating
41 Search And Seizure
42 Criminal Contempt: Reserved
43 Defendant’S Presence: Reserverd
44 Right To And Appointment Of Counsel: Reserved
45 Computing And Extending Time
46 Release From Custody; Supervising Detention
47 Motions And Supporting Affidavits: Reserved
48 Dismissal: Reserved
49 Serving And Filing Papers
49.1 Privacy Protection For Filings Made With The Court
50 Prompt Disposition: Reserved
51 Preserving Claimed Error: Reserved
52 Harmless And Plain Error: Reserved
53 Regulation Of Conduct
54 Reserved
55 Records
56 When Court Is Open, Conducting Business, Clerk’S Authority
57 District Court Rules
58 Petty Offenses And Other Misdemeanors
59 Matters Before A Magistrate Judge: Reserved
60 Victim’S Rights
61 Title: Reserved
62.1 Attorneys; Admission To Practice
62.2 Attorney Appearance And Withdrawal
62.3 Standards Of Professional Conduct; Continuing Eligibility To
62.4 Legal Interns
62.5 Signing Filings; Sanctions
Electronic Filing (ECF) Procedures
Electronic Case Filing Procedures
District Forms (71)
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1983 Prisoner Civil Rights Complaint with instruction sheet
2241 Immigration Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus with instruction sheet, IFP Application, and Application for Appoint
2254 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus with instruction sheet
2255 Motion to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct Sentence
Administrative Procedures for Prisoner E-Filing Program
Agreement to Forfeit Property
Application for Court-Appointed Counsel for Civil Rights Cases
Application for Court-Appointed Counsel for Employment Discrimination Cases
Attorney Admission Petition
Best Practices for Electronic Discovery in Criminal Cases
Bill of Costs
Certificate of Service
Clerk's Certification of Judgment to be Registered in Another District
CM/ECF Pro Se Electronic Filing/Service Instructions
CM/ECF Pro Se Request to Cancel E-mail Service or Electronic Filing
CM/ECF Registration Form for Pro Se Filers
Conditional Admission Petition
Consent to Proceed Before a U.S. Magistrate Judge
Cover Letter
Cover Letter
DREAM Court Referral for Program Eligibility
English
General Order re: Adopting Prisoner E-Filing Program in Full
General Order re: Adopting Prisoner Electronic Filing Pilot Project
How to Prepare Your PDF Guide
IFP Application for 2241, 2254 Habeas Petitions
IFP Application for Prisoners Filing Civil Complaints with instruction sheet
In Forma Pauperis (IFP) Application with Written Consent
Instructions
Legal Intern Application
Notice of Civil Appeal
Notice of Criminal Appeal
Notice of Filing Paper or Physical Materials With the Clerk
Notice of Lawsuit and Request for Waiver of Service of Summons
Party Objection to Request for Video Recording
Plan for Prompt Disposition of Criminal Cases
Praecipe
Prisoner Litigation Manual
Pro Hac Vice Application
Pro Se Guide to Filing Your Lawsuit in Federal Court
Request for Pro Bono Mediation
Request for Video Recording
Rule 5 Waiver form
Spanish
Subpoena to Appear and Testify at a Hearing or Trial in a Civil Action
Subpoena to Produce Documents, Information, or Objects or to Permit Inspection of Premises in a Civil Action
Subpoena to Testify at a Deposition in a Civil Action
Subpoena to Testify at a Deposition in a Criminal Case
Subpoena to Testify at a Hearing or Trial in a Criminal Case
Summons in a Civil Action
Summons on a Third Party Complaint
Transcript Order
Victim Address Change
Victim Name Change
Waiver of Preliminary Hearing
Waiver of Service of Summons
CJA 20CJA 20: Appointment of and Authority to Pay Court Appointed Counsel
CJA 21CJA 21: Authorization and Voucher for Expert and Other Services
CJA 24CJA 24: Authorization and Voucher for Payment of Transcript
National (AO) forms used in every district are searchable too — try “AO 440” or “subpoena to testify at a deposition” in Search.
Standing Orders & Judge Procedures (152)
Court-wide (145)
01/02/2025 GO 01-25 re: Court Closure on January 9, 2025
01/05/2024 GO 01-24 re: Division of Court Business
01/07/2022 GO 01-22 re: New Modified Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 and Related Coronavirus
01/08/2025 GO 02-25 re: Designation of a Magistrate Judge for Emergency Assistance in the Western District of Washington
01/09/2026 Order Appointing Joshua C. Lewis District Court Executive-Clerk of Court
01/12/2024 GO 02-24 re: In the Matter of the Designation of a Magistrate Judge for Emergency Assistance in the Western District of Washington
01/12/2026 GO 01-26 re: Adopting Amendments to Local Civil Rules
01/12/2026 GO 02-26 re: Adopting Amendments to Local Criminal Rules
01/13/2023 GO 01-23 re: Division of Court Business
01/13/2025 GO 03-25 re: Division of Court Business
01/14/2026 Order re: The Possible Appointment of a United States Attorney Pursuant to 28 U.S.C § 546(d)
01/15/2021 re: Appointing J. Richard Creatura as Chief Magistrate Judge
01/17/2017 GO 01-17 re: CJA Appointed Counsel Obtaining Paralegal and Investigation Services Without Prior Authorization
01/17/2025 GO 04-25 re: Employment Dispute Resolution Policy
01/19/2021 GO 01-21 re Adopting Amendments to Local Civil Rules
01/26/2022 GO 02-22 re Adopting Amendments to Local Civil Rules
01/27/2023 re: Order Appointing David W. Christel as Chief Magistrate Judge
02/01/2023 GO 02-23 re Adopting Amendments to Local Civil Rules
02/02/2026 Order Adopting Schedule of Forfeitable Bail and Mandatory Appearances for Misdemeanors and Infractions
02/03/2022 GO03-22 re: New Modified Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 and Related Coronavirus
02/08/2021 GO 02-21 re: Division of Court Business
02/19/2025 GO 05-25 Amended General Order re: Consent and Referrals to Magistrate Judges
02/23/2024 GO 03-24 re: Amended General Order re: Attorney Admissions Filing Fees
02/28/2024 re: Order Appointing Theresa L. Fricke as Chief Magistrate Judge
03/01/2021 GO 03-21 re: Procedures for the Filing, Service, and Management of Highly Sensitive Documents
03/02/2017 GO 03-17 re: Order Adopting Amended CJA Plan
03/03/2022 GO 04-22 re: New Modified Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 and Related Coronavirus
03/07/2023 GO 03-23 re: Amazon Counterfeit Enforcement Litigation
03/13/2026 GO 03-26 re: Authorizing the United States Federal Air Marshal Service to Conditionally Release Certain Violators and Offenders and to Approve the Bail Schedule for Cert
03/15/2023 GO 04-23 re: Hearings by Video or Telephone as Authorized by the CARES Act
03/17/2017 GO 04-17 re: Designating Court Opinions
03/17/2020 GO 02-20 re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
03/19/2021 GO 04-21 re: New Modified Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 and Related Coronavirus
03/19/2021 GO 05-21 re: Personal Firearms for Court Security Officers
03/22/2022 GO 05-22 re: Hearings by Video or Telephone as Authorized by the CARES Act
03/23/2021 GO 06-21 re: Hearings by Video or Telephone as Authorized by the CARES Act
03/24/2026 GO 04-26 re: Order Appointing Merit Selection Panel to Consider Applications for Appointment as United States Attorney
03/25/2020 GO 03-20 re: Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
03/27/2025 GO 06-25 re: Adopting Amendments to Local Civil Rules
03/30/2020 GO 04-20 re: Hearings by Video or Telephone as Authorized by the CARES Act
04/05/2019 GO 02-19 Amended General Order re: Consents and Referrals to US Magistrate Judges
04/06/2020 GO 05-20 re: CJA Counsel Interim Voucher Submission During Ongoing Disruption to Court Operations
04/07/2023 GO 05-23 re: CJA Counsel Service Provider Authorization
04/08/2020 GO 06-20 re: Amended Criminal Justice Act Plan
04/10/2026 GO 05-26 re: Employment Dispute Resolution Policy
04/11/2019 GO 03-19 re: Motions for Sentence Reduction Re: First Step Act (Compassionate Release and Good Time Issues)
04/13/2020 GO 07-20 re: Extension of Modified Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
04/23/2021 GO 07-21 re: Amended General Order Regarding Attorney Admission Filing Fees
04/26/2024 GO 04-24 re: Adopting Amendments to Local Civil Rules
04/29/2021 re: Appointing S. Kate Vaughan as a Full-Time Magistrate Judge
04/29/2025 re: Reappointing Magistrate Judge Fricke
04/30/2021 GO 08-21 re: Electronic Devices Permitted in Courthouses
05/03/2024 GO 05-24 re: Use of Restraints on In-Custody Persons in the Courtroom
05/09/2024 re: Order Appointing Tessa Gorman as United States Attorney
05/13/2020 GO 08-20 re: Second Extension of Modified Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19
05/15/2026 GO 06-26 re: Adopting Amended Pro Bono Plan
05/18/2016 re: Appointing Panel to Consider Selection of Magistrate Judge
05/20/2016 GO 04-15 Amended Order re: Pilot Program for Electronic Service in Social Security Cases
05/20/2016 GO 06-16 re: Adopting Prisoner E-Filing Program in Full
05/22/2024 GO 07-24 re: Delegating Review and Approval for Certain Criminal Justice Act Compensation Claims and Authorization Requests
05/22/2024 GO 08-24 re: CJA Counsel Service Provider Authorization
05/26/2022 GO 04-15 Amended General Order re: Pilot Program for Electronic Service in Social Security Cases
05/28/2026 GO 07-26 re: Food and Beverages in the Courthouses in the Western District of Washington
06/01/2017 GO 05-17 re: Consent to Magistrate Judges
06/06/2019 GO 05-19 re: Order Adopting Amended CJA Plan
06/11/2025 Order Appointing Members of Local Criminal Rules Committee
06/20/2022 GO 06-22 re: Hearings by Video or Telephone as Authorized by the CARES Act
06/20/2024 GO 09-24 re: Amended Procedures for the Filing, Service, and Management of Highly Sensitive Documents
06/21/2021 GO 09-21 re Hearings by Video or Telephone as Authorized by the CARES Act
06/29/2017 GO 05-17 Amended General Order re: Consent to Magistrate Judges
06/30/2021GO 10-21 re New Modified Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 and Related Coronavirus
07/01/2019 GO 06-19 re: CJA Appointed Counsel Obtaining Paralegal and Investigation Services Without Prior Authorization
07/02/2020 GO 04-15 Amended General Order re: Pilot Program for Electronic Service in Social Security Cases
07/07/2026 GO 08-26 re: Immigration Habeas Petitions Under 28 U.S.C. § 2241
07/08/2022 GO 07-22 re: Reinstatement of Indoor Mask Requirement Due to COVID-19 and Related Coronavirus
07/10/2017 GO 01-15 Second Amended General Order re: Consents and Referrals to US Magistrate Judges
07/12/2024 GO 10-24 re: Remote Public Access to Court Proceedings
07/13/2022 GO 08-22 re: Updates to CJA Counsel Interim Voucher Submission and Service Provider Fees
07/15/2026 GO 09-26 re: Order Appointing Roger Scott Rogoff as United States Attorney
07/17/2023 GO 06-23 re: Plan for the Administration and Operation of the Court's Attorney Admission Fund
07/19/2019 GO 07-19 re: Petitions for Retroactive Application of Rahaif v. United States
07/21/2020 GO 10-20 re: Covid-19 Screening Questions and Face Requirements
07/24/2023 re: Appointing Panel to Consider Reappointment of Magistrate Judges Tsuchida and McCandlis
07/30/2020 GO 11-20 re: Third Extension of Modified Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 and Related Coronavirus
08/01/2022 GO 09-22 re: Amended Jury Selection Plan
08/01/2025 GO 07-25 re: Amended Procedures for the Filing, Service, and Management of Highly Sensitive Documents
08/02/2024 GO 11-24 re: Relocation of Court
08/13/2021 GO 11-21 re: New Face Mask Policy
08/15/2022 re Order Appointing Panel to Consider Appointment of Magistrate Judge
08/15/2022 re: Appointing Panel to Consider Reappointment of Magistrate Judge
08/21/2020 re: Order Appointing Panel to Consider Appointment of Magistrate Judge
08/22/2019 re: Order Appointing Panel to Consider Reappointment of Magistrate Judge
08/31/2020 re: Amended Order Appointing Panel to Consider Appointment of Magistrate Judge
09/01/2020 GO 12-20 re: Remote Court Proceedings for Petty Offense and Misdemeanor Hearings Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 and Related Coronavirus
09/01/2021 GO 12-21 re: Plan for the Administration and Operation of the Court’s Attorney Admissions Fund
09/04/2020 GO 13-20 re: Fourth Extension of Modified Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 and Related Coronavirus
09/07/2004 re: Courthouse Security - Firearms
09/08/2023 GO 07-23 re: Adopting Amended Pro Bono Plan
09/15/2022 GO 10-22 re: Hearings by Video or Telephone as Authorized by the Cares Act
09/23/2019 re: Order Appointing Marc L. Barreca as Chief Bankruptcy Judge
09/23/2021 GO 13-21 re: Hearings by Video or Telephone as Authorized by the CARES Act
09/24/2020 GO 14-20 re: Hearings by Video or Telephone as Authorized by the CARES Act
09/25/2024 re: Order Appointing Panel to Consider Reappointment of Magistrate Judge
09/27/2023 GO 08-23 re: Division of Court Business
09/28/2011 General Order re: Amended Plan for the Random Selection of Jurors
09/28/2022 GO 11-22 Amended General Order re: Consent and Referrals to Magistrate Judges
09/29/2023 re: Order Appointing Christopher M. Alston as Chief Bankruptcy Judge
10/02/2020 GO 15-20 re: New Modified Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 and Related Coronavirus
10/06/2023 GO 09-23 re: Retroactive Application of U.S.S.G. Amendment 821
10/08/2024 GO 12-24 Amended General Order re: Consent and Referrals to Magistrate Judges
10/10/2023 re: Reappointing Magistrate Judge McCandlis
10/10/2023 re: Reappointing Magistrate Judge Tsuchida
10/11/2013 GO 03-13 re: Plan of Operation in the Absence of Appropriations or Continuing Resolution
10/12/2025 Order Adopting Collateral Forfeiture Schedule - Federal Protective Service
10/15/2024 re: Amended Order Appointing Panel to Consider Reappointment of Magistrate Judge
10/23/2024 GO 05-15 Amended General Order re: Social Security Cases
10/23/2025 GO 08-25 re: Designation of a Magistrate Judge for Emergency Assistance in the Western District of Washington
11/03/2022 GO 12-22 re: Indoor Mask Requirement Due to COVID-19
11/03/2023 GO 10-23 re: Amended Criminal Justice Act Plan
11/03/2023 GO 11-23 re: Adopting Amendments to Local Criminal Rules
11/03/2023 GO 12-23 re: Materials Related to Cooperation
11/14/2025 GO 09-25 re: Court Closures Due to Holidays
11/30/2012 GO 04-12 re: Adopting Amendments to Local Civil Rules
12/01/2012 GO 05-12 re: Adopting Amendments to Local Criminal Rules
12/01/2015 GO 14-15 re: Applicability of Amended FRCP 4(m)
12/02/2022 GO 05-15 Amended General Order re: Social Security Cases
12/02/2024 GO 13-24 re: Amended Criminal Justice Act Plan
12/03/2019 GO 08-19 re: Adopting Amendments to Local Criminal Rules
12/08/2020 GO 16-20 re: Adopting Amended Pro Bono Plan
12/14/2023 GO 13-23 re: Order Providing for Relocation of Court
12/15/2022 GO 13-22 re: Hearings by Video or Telephone as Authorized by the CARES Act
12/18/2019 re: Reappointing Part-Time Magistrate Judge McCandlis
12/18/2025 GO 10-25 re: Immigration Habeas Petitions Under 28 U.S.C. § 2241
12/19/2012 GO 06-12 re: Division of Court Business
12/19/2019 GO 09-19 re: Adopting Amendments to Local Civil Rules
12/19/2024 GO 14-24 re: Court Closure on December 24, 2024
12/19/2025 GO 11-25 re: Court Closure on December 24, 2025
12/20/2024 GO 15-24 re Absence of Chief Judge
12/22/2021 GO 14-21 re: Hearings by Video or Telephone as Authorized by the CARES Act
12/22/2025 GO 12-25 re: Designation of a Magistrate Judge for Emergency Assistance in the Western District of Washington
12/23/2020 GO 17-20 re: Hearings by Video or Telephone as Authorized by the CARES Act
12/28/21 GO 15-21 re: In the Matter of the Designation of a Magistrate Judge for Emergency Assistance in the Eastern District of Washington
12/30/2020 GO 18-20 In Re New Modified Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 and Related Coronavirus
12/30/2021 GO 16-21 re: New Modified Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 and Related Coronavirus
6/25/2020 GO 09-20 re: Hearings by Video or Telephone as Authorized by the CARES Act
Evanson Chambers (1)
Chambers Procedures for Civil Cases — Evanson Chambers
Fricke Chambers (4)
Example Order for Remote Jury Selection — Fricke Chambers
Example Settlement Conference Order — Fricke Chambers
General Order re Consent to Magistrate Judges — Fricke Chambers
Sample Order Setting Forth Court Procedures — Fricke Chambers
Leupold Chambers (1)
Courtroom Rules — Leupold Chambers
Vaughan Chambers (1)
Individual Practices — Vaughan Chambers
Tip: everything on this page is also retrievable in Search (“W.D. Wash. LR 7.1”) and cited by Ask.