King County Superior Court Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026WARNING

A scheduling party should consult the opposing party or counsel before contacting the court.

If you are a scheduling party, please consult with opposing party/counsel(s) before contacting Judge Robertson’s court.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026WARNING

Parties should request a dispositive-motion hearing date before the case deadline for dispositive motions.

Parties should request a dispositive motion date prior to the case deadline for dispositive motions.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026WARNING

Civil cases

Follow KCLR 7 when setting motions without oral argument; the court considers non-dispositive motions without oral argument.

You must follow KCLR 7 when setting motions without oral argument. All non-dispositive motions are considered by the Court without oral argument.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026WARNING

Civil cases

The judge decides whether to allow oral argument, reviews the request on the noted hearing date, and the bailiff schedules argument if approved.

The judge decides whether the case needs oral argument. The request will be reviewed on the date noted for hearing without oral argument. If oral argument is approved by the Judge, the bailiff will contact the parties about scheduling. If the request is denied, an order will be filed and e-working copies sent to the parties.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 21, 2026WARNING

Civil cases

As of 9/1/2025, CR 12 dismissal motions are heard without oral argument and no hearings are scheduled; timeline per LCR 12(d) still applies.

PLEASE NOTE: As of 9/1/2025, pursuant to a rule change, motions for dismissal pursuant to CR 12 are now to be heard without oral argument. The court will no longer schedule hearings on these types of motions. Please note the timeline for consideration has not changed and should be noted pursuant toLCR 12(d).

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026WARNING

The court considers oral argument after reviewing the moving papers, responses, and replies; if appropriate, the bailiff contacts the parties to schedule it.

After Judge Cary has reviewed all briefing (moving papers, responses, and replies), if the Court determines oral argument is appropriate, the bailiff will contact the parties and set a mutually acceptable time for oral argument to be presented.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026INFO

Most non-dispositive motions do not require oral argument under the civil and local rules.

Please note: under civil and local rules, most non-dispositive motions do not require oral argument.

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If the judge determines after reviewing the briefs that oral argument is appropriate, the bailiff will contact the parties to schedule a mutually acceptable time.

If, after reviewing briefing, the judge decides that oral argument is appropriate, the bailiff will contact the parties and set a mutually acceptable time for oral argument.

Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026INFO

Civil cases

All non-dispositive motions are considered without oral argument unless a party requests it and the Court deems it necessary.

All non-dispositive motions will be considered by the Court without oral argument unless a party requests oral argument and the Court deems oral argument to be necessary.

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Any request for a dispositive motion hearing must be emailed to the court and include: Case number and name Names, phone numbers and email addresses of all counsel and parties Nature of hearing The Court typically allots 45 minutes for dispositive motions (each side is allowed 10 minutes for argument). Additional time may be provided on hearings involving multiple parties or complex motions. Please advise the bailiff if additional time is being requested.

Summary: Dispositive motion hearing requests must be emailed to the court with the case number/name, contact information for all counsel and parties, and the nature of the hearing; 45 minutes is typically allotted (10 minutes per side) and additional time requests go to the bailiff.

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The court will not do a plea and sentencing on this calendar unless: • The parties request the plea/sentencing in advance • Any victims have been notified • AND it is either CFTS or the defendant is from out of town such that returning for sentencing would be a hardship.

Summary: Plea and sentencing may only occur on this calendar if requested in advance, victims have been notified, and the defendant is CFTS or from out of town.

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Motions to withdraw a guilty plea shall be presented to the judge who took the plea or to the sentencing or supervising judge if the plea judge is not available or was a judge pro tem.

Summary: Motions to withdraw a guilty plea must go to the plea judge, or the sentencing/supervising judge if the plea judge is unavailable or was a judge pro tem.

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Defense counsel may move to quash a warrant issued on or before the trial date by scheduling a motion to quash the warrant before the Chief Criminal or Chief MRJC Judge. The defendant shall be present at the hearing or the motion shall not be considered, absent extraordinary circumstances.

Summary: A motion to quash a bench warrant issued on or before the trial date must be scheduled before the Chief Criminal or Chief MRJC Judge, and the defendant must be present or the motion will not be considered absent extraordinary circumstances.

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Give notice to the court and opposing counsel that counsel will be presenting a motion for an exceptional sentence;

Summary: Counsel must give advance notice to the court and opposing counsel before presenting a motion for an exceptional sentence.

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Motions with oral argument must be confirmed by the bailiff.

Summary: Motions set for oral argument must be confirmed with the bailiff.

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The party requesting a hearing date for a dispositive motion must confer with opposing counsel before contacting the Court; this helps avoid scheduling conflicts.

Summary: Before requesting a hearing date for a dispositive motion, the requesting party must confer with opposing counsel.

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Any request for a dispositive motion hearing date and time must be emailed to the Court and must include at least: Case number and case name. Names, phone numbers, and email addresses of all counsel and self-represented parties; and The nature of the hearing (for example, “motion for summary judgment”).

Summary: Requests for dispositive motion hearing dates must be emailed to the Court and include the case number/name, contact information for all counsel and self-represented parties, and the nature of the hearing.

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As of 9/1/2025, pursuant to a rule change, motions for dismissal pursuant to CR 12 are now to be heard without oral argument. The court will no longer schedule hearings on these types of motions. Please note the timeline for consideration has not changed and should be noted pursuant to LCR 12(d).

Summary: Effective 9/1/2025, CR 12 motions to dismiss are heard without oral argument and the court will no longer schedule hearings on them, with the consideration timeline unchanged per LCR 12(d).

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Motions with Oral Argument are heard on Fridays. This includes motions for Summary Judgment, motions for Restraining Orders, Preliminary Injunctions, and Class Certification hearings.

Summary: Motions with oral argument (summary judgment, restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, and class certification) are heard on Fridays in one-hour calendar slots.

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Any email request for a dispositive motion hearing must include the following: Case name and cause number; Names, phone numbers and email addresses of all counsel; Type of hearing and date(s) requested from the available dates on the above calendar. It is helpful if you select a first and second choice. Your hearing will be set on your first choice unless it is no longer available.

Summary: Email requests for a dispositive motion hearing must include the case name and cause number, counsel contact information, and the type of hearing with requested dates from the calendar; a first and second choice is recommended and the first choice is used unless unavailable.

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Civil cases

Parties must comply with all the requirements of KCLR 7 when setting motions without oral argument.

Summary: Parties must comply with all KCLR 7 requirements when setting motions without oral argument.

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The scheduling party shall consult with opposing counsel(s) before contacting the court. Doing so reduces the need to reschedule hearings due to conflicts.

Summary: Before contacting the court to schedule a dispositive motion, the scheduling party must consult with opposing counsel.

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Parties must comply with all the requirements of KCLR 7 and any emergency orders in place when setting motions without oral argument.

Summary: Parties must comply with KCLR 7 and any emergency orders when setting motions without oral argument.

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Parties must contact the Court to schedule a motion with oral argument. Dispositive motions are scheduled on Friday mornings and the Court typically gives an hour for argument. Judge Lee requires that you check with opposing counsel before scheduling any hearing in order to make sure the date and time works for all counsel. To request a hearing date, please email the bailiff and include the case name, cause number and type of hearing requested.

Summary: To schedule a dispositive motion hearing with oral argument, parties must first check with opposing counsel and then email the bailiff with the case name, cause number and type of hearing requested; hearings are set on Friday mornings with typically an hour for argument.

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Please pay careful attention to the “meet and confer” requirements of LCR 37(e) and CR 26(i). The conference of counsel must be held in person or by telephone. Email is not a substitute for a dialogue on these issues.

Summary: Before motions to compel discovery or for contempt, counsel must hold a meet-and-confer conference in person or by telephone — email is not a substitute.

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Judge Straley requires that you check with opposing counsel before scheduling any hearing to make sure that the date works for all counsel.

Summary: Parties must confer with opposing counsel to confirm date availability before scheduling any hearing.

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Required

Always ?

Counsel are to confer not later than five (5) calendar days prior to the pretrial conference hearing to determine estimations for cross-examination time for each party’s witnesses and prepare this document.

Summary: Counsel must confer with each other no later than 5 calendar days before the pretrial conference hearing to determine cross-examination time estimates and prepare the witness examination estimate document.

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PLEASE NOTE: As of 9/1/2025, pursuant to a rule change, motions for dismissal pursuant to CR 12 are now to be heard without oral argument. The court will no longer schedule hearings on these types of motions. Please note the timeline for consideration has not changed and should be noted pursuant to LCR 12(d).

Summary: As of 9/1/2025, CR 12 motions for dismissal are decided without oral argument and the court will no longer schedule hearings on them, with the LCR 12(d) consideration timeline unchanged.

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Motions to Dismiss have the same scheduling requirements as Motions for Summary Judgment but should be noted without oral argument. LCR 12(d).

Summary: Motions to Dismiss follow the same scheduling requirements as summary judgment motions but must be noted without oral argument per LCR 12(d).

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For any motions for summary judgment, in full or in part, the parties must coordinate and then confirm a hearing date and time with the Bailiff before filing a Notice of Hearing. If multiple parties intend to file such a motion, the parties should strive to streamline their presentations as much as practicable.

Summary: Parties must coordinate and confirm a hearing date and time with the Bailiff before filing a Notice of Hearing for any summary judgment motion.

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PLEASE NOTE: As of 9/1/2025, pursuant to a rule change, motions for dismissal pursuant to CR 12 are now to be heard without oral argument. The court will no longer schedule hearings on these types of motions. Please note the timeline for consideration has not changed and should be noted pursuant to LCR 12(d).

Summary: As of 9/1/2025, CR 12 motions to dismiss are heard without oral argument and no hearings will be scheduled, with the LCR 12(d) consideration timeline unchanged.

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Dispositive motions are heard on Fridays. Check with the opposing counsel/party before scheduling any hearing in order to make sure that the date is mutually agreeable. Doing so reduces the need to reschedule hearings due to conflicts.

Summary: Dispositive motions are heard on Fridays, and parties must check with opposing counsel/party to confirm a mutually agreeable hearing date before scheduling.

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Motions without oral argument may be noted in compliance with the KCLRs notice requirements. Motions without oral argument do not require confirmation.

Summary: Motions without oral argument may be noted per the KCLR notice requirements and do not require confirmation with the bailiff.

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Each motion is allotted 1 hour for argument and ruling.

Summary: Each motion is allotted one hour for argument and ruling.

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Judge Young requests that you confer with the opposing counsel/party, if possible, before confirming any hearing to make sure that the date is mutually agreeable.

Summary: Parties should confer with opposing counsel before confirming a hearing date to ensure it is mutually agreeable.

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If unsure whether a motion is with or without oral argument or whether Judge York is the appropriate judicial officer to hear the request, please consult LCR 7 and LFLR 5 prior to filing or contacting the court.

Summary: Parties unsure whether a motion is with or without oral argument, or whether Judge York is the proper judicial officer, must consult LCR 7 and LFLR 5 before filing or contacting the court.

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Judge Vargas encourages the parties to request a pretrial conference under CR 16 or CR 26(f) to consider matters such as The scope and timing of discovery. Limitations of discovery requests and depositions. Procedures and protocols for electronic discovery. Expert witness disclosures and discovery. Anything else that would promote the efficient resolution of the case. In complex cases or when it appears the parties are not working well in discovery on their own, the Court may order the parties to participate in a pretrial conference.

Summary: Judge Vargas encourages the parties to request a CR 16 or CR 26(f) pretrial conference on discovery issues, and may order the parties to participate in a pretrial conference in complex cases or when discovery is not proceeding well.

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Civil cases

After the Court has reviewed all briefing (moving papers, responses, and replies), and if the Court determines oral argument or evidentiary hearing is appropriate, the Bailiff will contact the parties and set a mutually acceptable time for the hearing.

Summary: Oral argument or evidentiary hearings are set only after the Court reviews full briefing, and the Bailiff then contacts the parties to set a mutually acceptable hearing time.

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Civil cases

The Court will schedule a pretrial conference with the parties a few weeks before your trial date.

Summary: The Court will schedule a pretrial conference with the parties a few weeks before the trial date.

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Dispositive motions are heard on Friday mornings.

Summary: Dispositive motions in Department 9 are heard on Friday mornings.

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Parties are encouraged to contact the court far in advance of trial to schedule a dispositive motion, as time slots are limited.

Summary: Parties should contact the court far in advance of trial to schedule dispositive motions because time slots are limited.

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The Court typically allots 1 hour for dispositive motions. Additional time may be provided on hearings involving multiple parties or complex motions. Please advise the bailiff if additional time is being requested.

Summary: Dispositive motions are typically allotted 1 hour, and parties must advise the bailiff if additional time is requested.

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If the parties cannot resolve a discovery dispute, the parties are still welcome to file a motion. However, the parties may also schedule a conference call with Judge Lee before bringing such motion. He will be available to counsel on both sides via phone within 1 to 3 court days of being contacted by parties.

Summary: Before filing a discovery motion, parties may optionally schedule a conference call with Judge Lee, who is available to counsel on both sides by phone within 1 to 3 court days of being contacted.

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Judge Flevaris encourages the parties to request a pretrial conference under CR 16 or CR 26(f) to consider matters such as: (1) the scope and timing of discovery; (2) limitations of discovery requests and depositions; (3) procedures and protocols for electronic discovery; (4) expert witness disclosures and discovery; and (5) anything else that would promote the efficient resolution of the case.

Summary: Parties are encouraged to request a CR 16/CR 26(f) pretrial conference to address discovery scope, limits, e-discovery protocols, and expert disclosures.

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If a discovery dispute remains after conferencing, the Parties are urged to consider whether a short virtual or telephonic conference with the Court could help resolve or at least narrow the remaining issues without need for a formal motion. Any Party may email this Department's Bailiff, copying all counsel and unrepresented parties, to arrange such a conference. The email should describe the nature of the discovery dispute briefly (1-2 sentences per issue), in neutral terms, and without argument; and must confirm that the meet-and-confer requirement has already been met. The opposing party may then identify, also briefly and in neutral terms, any additional issues to be addressed. Such a conference usually will be scheduled for 10 to 20 minutes.

Summary: Before formal discovery motions, parties are urged to request a short (10-20 minute) virtual or telephonic conference by emailing the Bailiff with brief, neutral issue descriptions and confirmation that meet-and-confer has occurred.

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All non-dispositive motions will be considered by the Court without oral argument unless a party requests oral argument and the Court deems oral argument to be necessary.

Summary: Non-dispositive motions are decided without oral argument unless a party requests it and the Court finds oral argument necessary.

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Other types of motions that are granted oral argument are motions for restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, and class certification hearings.

Summary: Motions for restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, and class certification hearings are granted oral argument.

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Civil cases

Once you have confirmed this is the appropriate place to note your motion, you must request hearing dates from the bailiff via email. Do not note your motion until you have received an email confirming that your hearing has been scheduled.

Summary: Request hearing dates from the bailiff by email and do not note the motion until the hearing is confirmed by email.