As amended throough October 10, 2024
Rule RAP 2.3 - Decisions of the Trial Court Which May Be Reviewed by Discretionary Review(a) Decision of Superior Court. Unless otherwise prohibited by statute or court rule, a party may seek discretionary review of any act of the superior court not appealable as a matter of right.(b) Considerations Governing Acceptance of Review. Except as provided in section (d), discretionary review may be accepted only in the following circumstances: (1) The superior court has committed an obvious error which would render further proceedings useless;(2) The superior court has committed probable error and the decision of the superior court substantially alters the status quo or substantially limits the freedom of a party to act;(3) The superior court has so far departed from the accepted and usual course of judicial proceedings, or so far sanctioned such a departure by an inferior court or administrative agency, as to call for review by the appellate court; or(4) The superior court has certified, or that all parties to the litigation have stipulated, that the order involves a controlling question of law as to which there is substantial ground for a difference of opinion and that immediate review of the order may materially advance the ultimate termination of the litigation.(c) Effect of Denial of Discretionary Review. Except with regard to a decision of a superior court entered in a proceeding to review a decision of a court of limited jurisdiction, the denial of discretionary review of a superior court decision does not affect the right of a party to obtain later review of the trial court decision or the issues pertaining to that decision.(d) Considerations Governing Acceptance of Review of Superior Court Decision on Review of Decision of Court of Limited Jurisdiction. Discretionary review of a superior court decision entered in a proceeding to review a decision of a court of limited jurisdiction will be accepted only:(1) If the decision of the superior court is in conflict with a decision of the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court; or(2) If a significant question of law under the Constitution of the State of Washington or of the United States is involved; or(3) If the decision involves an issue of public interest which should be determined by an appellate court; or(4) If the superior court has so far departed from the accepted and usual course of judicial proceedings, or so far sanctioned such a departure by the court of limited jurisdiction, as to call for review by the appellate court.(e) Acceptance of Review. Upon accepting discretionary review, the appellate court may specify the issue or issues as to which review is granted.Adopted effective 7/1/1976; Amended effective 1/1/1981; 9/1/1985; 9/1/1998; 12/24/2002.