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Arbitration - Superior Court

Learn how arbitration can resolve certain disputes out of the court. Instead of a judge, impartial arbitrators make the legal decision.

Any civil, non-domestic action, other than an appeal, from a court of limited jurisdiction, is subject to arbitration under RCW 7.06 if:

  • It is in Superior Court
  • The relief requested is for money damages only
  • No claim exceeds the jurisdictional limit of $100,000, exclusive of attorney's fees, interest, or costs

The Civil Arbitration Rules (see below) apply only to cases governed by RCW 7.06 and do not include arbitration by private agreement or under other statutes, except by stipulation under SCCAR 8.1.

"At issue" means that all parties have been joined, and that all claims, counterclaims, and cross-claims have been answered.

The process

File The Statement of Arbitrability by the deadline shown on the case schedule or by any extended deadline granted by the court, including a show cause order. Thereafter, a case may be transferred to arbitration only by leave of the assigned judge.

Fee

You must pay a $220 filing fee before the case will be transferred to us.

Want to serve as an arbitrator?

According to the law (RCW 7.06.040), an arbitrator must be a member of the state bar association who has been admitted to the bar for a minimum of 5 years or who is a retired judge. They must have a minimum of 15% of their practice in any area where a case would be assigned.

Potential arbitrators may be added to the panel of available arbitrators by completing the required training and an Arbitrator’s Biography and Oath of Office Form. Completing the training is mandatory only if you have been on the arbitration panel for less than 5 years or have served as arbitrator for less than 5 arbitration hearings in King County.

Trainings

These links are provided as a courtesy not as an endorsement.

Initial training is available from the King County Bar Association (KCBA)

You cannot serve as an arbitrator unless you complete a minimum of 3 credits of Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) approved continuing legal education credits on the professional and ethical considerations for serving as an arbitrator.

Supplemental Ethics Trainings are available from the following organizations:

Fill out and submit forms

If you are interested in serving as an arbitrator, please review the Arbitrator Complaint Process and complete an Arbitrator’s Biography and Oath of Office Form and return to the Civil Arbitration Department at scarbitration@kingcounty.gov.

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