introduction
It is not uncommon in the United States for parties to resolve commercial disputes by litigation. The purpose of this chapter is to summarize the process of civil litigation in Washington’s courts. The United States features a dual court system with federal courts and state courts. The federal court system hears cases involving federal matters and select matters between citizens of different states or countries. The federal and state court systems are independent and each has their own rules.
Most commercial lawsuits brought in a Washington State court are brought in superior court. The superior court in Washington State is the court of general jurisdiction and its judges are elected on a non-partisan basis. The superior court has exclusive jurisdiction for felony matters, real property rights, domestic relations, estate, and civil cases over $50,000. The superior court also hears appeals from courts of limited jurisdiction. There are three appellate divisions in Washington State. A party to a lawsuit in state court may appeal a trial court decision to the appropriate Court of Appeals if the party feels there was an error of law made by the judge prior to or during trial. The Washington State Supreme Court hears appeals of Court of Appeals decisions.
The U.S. federal court system hears cases involving litigants from different states or countries, violations of federal laws, treaties, the U.S. Constitution, admiralty and bankruptcy. The trial courts are U.S. District Courts. Appeals are heard by the United States Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of the United States. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, with courthouses in Seattle and Tacoma, serves the area west of the Cascade Mountains. The Eastern District of Washington has courthouses in Spokane, Yakima, and Richland and serves all areas east of the Cascade Mountains. Appeals from the Eastern District and Western District are taken to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Most commercial lawsuits brought in a Washington State court are brought in superior court. The superior court in Washington State is the court of general jurisdiction and its judges are elected on a non-partisan basis. The superior court has exclusive jurisdiction for felony matters, real property rights, domestic relations, estate, and civil cases over $50,000. The superior court also hears appeals from courts of limited jurisdiction. There are three appellate divisions in Washington State. A party to a lawsuit in state court may appeal a trial court decision to the appropriate Court of Appeals if the party feels there was an error of law made by the judge prior to or during trial. The Washington State Supreme Court hears appeals of Court of Appeals decisions.
The U.S. federal court system hears cases involving litigants from different states or countries, violations of federal laws, treaties, the U.S. Constitution, admiralty and bankruptcy. The trial courts are U.S. District Courts. Appeals are heard by the United States Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of the United States. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, with courthouses in Seattle and Tacoma, serves the area west of the Cascade Mountains. The Eastern District of Washington has courthouses in Spokane, Yakima, and Richland and serves all areas east of the Cascade Mountains. Appeals from the Eastern District and Western District are taken to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.