Judge Benjamin H. Settle
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Communication
Chambers, Clerk
Chambers
Document Format Requirements19 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Each exhibit must be submitted as a single PDF document.
Each exhibit must be a single PDF document
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Exhibits must be provided on a CD or thumb drive, with a thumb drive preferred, in PDF format.
Exhibits must be on a CD or thumb-drive (preferred) in PDF format
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Audio and video exhibits must be playable in Windows Media Player.
Exhibits that contain audio or video must be playable in Windows Media Player
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
PDF exhibits should be OCR-scanned and searchable if possible.
PDF documents should be scanned using Optical Character Recognition if possible and encoded as a searchable PDF
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
All exhibits must be pre-marked by counsel using the following format: Cause No.:________________ Plaintiff or Defendant Exh #:______________ Admitted: (leave blank) ______________
Summary: All exhibits must be pre-marked by counsel with cause number, exhibit number, and admitted status (left blank) per the specified format.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
3 sets of paper copies for each party shall be submitted to the Courtroom Deputy the morning of trial in binders with tabbed dividers between exhibits and shall be marked on the side of binder 1) Clerk, 2) Judge and 3) Witness.
Summary: Each party must submit 3 paper exhibit sets to the Courtroom Deputy the morning of trial, in binders with tabbed dividers marked Clerk, Judge, Witness.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Judge Settle requires 3 binders of paper copies and 2 thumb drives (electronic) from each party unless otherwise instructed by the Courtroom Deputy.
Summary: Each party must submit 3 paper exhibit binders and 2 electronic thumb drives unless directed otherwise by the Courtroom Deputy.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Exhibits that contain audio or video must be playable in Windows Media Player OR VLC Media Player. (Video files requiring their own unique codec or media player are not acceptable and need to be converted to an acceptable format to work with approved players. )
Summary: Audio/video exhibits must be playable in Windows Media Player or VLC Media Player, with no unique codecs required.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
2 sets of thumb drives for each party must be submitted to the Courtroom Deputy the morning of trial. Exhibits must be in PDF format and should be scanned using Optical Character Recognition if possible and encoded as a searchable PDF. The exhibits should be named the same (see above) as paper exhibits (Plaintiff = 001-499, Defendant = 500-forward).
Summary: Each party must submit 2 thumb drives of exhibits to the Courtroom Deputy the morning of trial, in searchable PDF format with OCR if possible, named per plaintiff/defendant numbering.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Plaintiff’s exhibits shall consecutively be marked beginning with number 001-499.
Summary: Plaintiff's exhibits must be consecutively numbered from 001 to 499.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Duplicate documents shall not be listed twice on the exhibit list.
Summary: Duplicate documents are prohibited from being listed more than once on the exhibit list.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Defendant’s exhibits shall consecutively be marked beginning with number 500-forward.
Summary: Defendant's exhibits must be consecutively numbered starting at 500.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
A joint exhibit list in Microsoft Word format (auto numbering turned off) must be emailed to the Courtroom Deputy prior to the trial date and follow the same numbering system as the paper exhibits. This exhibit list can be found here: Judge Benjamin H. Settle Chambers Procedures | Western District of Washington | United States District Court
Summary: A joint exhibit list in Microsoft Word format (auto numbering off) must be emailed to the Courtroom Deputy before trial, following the paper exhibit numbering system.
DOCX
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
If new exhibits are admitted during trial, counsel must email daily the Courtroom Deputy the description of the admitted exhibit(s) and (depending on number of exhibits or size) must either email the PDF with the correct new exhibit number or deliver a thumb drive with only the newly admitted exhibits attached. Paper versions must also be provided with new dividers.
Summary: Newly admitted exhibits during trial require daily email to Courtroom Deputy with description, PDF via email or thumb drive, plus paper copies with new dividers.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Each exhibit must be a single PDF document
Summary: Each exhibit must be submitted as its own single PDF file.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Exhibits that contain audio or video must be playable in Windows Media Player
Summary: Any exhibit with audio or video must be compatible with Windows Media Player.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Exhibits must be on a CD or thumb-drive (preferred) in PDF format
Summary: Exhibits must be delivered on CD or preferably thumb-drive and be in PDF format.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
An exhibit list in Microsoft Word format must be emailed to the Court prior to the trial date.
Summary: An exhibit list must be prepared in Microsoft Word format and sent before trial.
DOCX
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
PDF documents should be scanned using Optical Character Recognition if possible and encoded as a searchable PDF
Summary: PDF exhibits should be OCR-scanned and searchable when possible.
Document Filing Requirements12 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Counsel are expected to submit agreed additional instructions and each side’s disputed proposed instructions with explanations and supporting citations.
Counsel will be expected to submit to the Court (1) any further instructions upon which the opposing parties have conferred and agreed and (2) each side's proposed jury instructions upon which no agreement has been reached, along with explanations and any citations supporting differing positions.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Stipulations must include a proposed order for the Judge to sign.
When filing stipulations, include a proposed order for the Judge to sign
Document Type
Stipulation
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Exhibits must be presented to the Court before the trial date.
Exhibits must be presented to the Court prior to the trial date.
Document Type
Exhibits
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Exhibits must use the specified numbering formats for plaintiff and defendant exhibits.
Exhibits must be numbered as follows: Plaintiff: 00001 Defendant: A0001 00002 A0002 00003 A0003 00003a A0003a
Document Type
Exhibits
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
The Word exhibit list should number plaintiff and defendant exhibits using the specified formats.
Exhibits should be numbered as follows on the Word list: Plaintiff: 1 Defendant: A-1 2 A-2 3 A-3 3a A-3a
Document Type
Exhibit List
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Stipulated motions should be filed as a “stipulated motion” rather than a “stipulation,” “agreed motion,” or “unopposed motion.”
Summary: Stipulated motions must be filed under the specific category “stipulated motion”.
Document Type
Stipulated Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
When filing stipulations, include a proposed order for the Judge to sign and send a Word version of the order to settleorders@wawd.uscourts.gov.
Summary: Proposed order required with stipulated motions; Word version must be emailed to settleorders.
Document Type
Stipulated Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Exhibits must be presented to the Court prior to the trial date.
Summary: Exhibits must be submitted to the Court before the trial date.
Document Type
Exhibits
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Exhibits must be numbered as follows:
Summary: Exhibits must follow the Court’s specified numbering format.
Document Type
Exhibits
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Each side's set of proposed instructions should also include a proposed verdict form.
Summary: Each side’s proposed jury instructions should include a proposed verdict form.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
Exhibits should be numbered as follows on the Word list:
Summary: The Word exhibit list should use the specified numbering convention.
Document Type
Exhibit List
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Stipulated motions may be noted for the day they are filed, but may not necessarily be signed that day.
Summary: Stipulated motions may be noted on filing day but not necessarily signed that day.
Document Type
Stipulated Motion
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
An exhibit list in Microsoft Word format must be emailed to the Court before the trial date at the specified address.
An exhibit list in Microsoft Word format must be emailed to the Court prior to the trial date. Please email to settleorders@wawd.uscourts.gov
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 2 | Submitting Electronic Evidence
The Court prefers proposed jury instructions to be filed on ECF and a Word version to be emailed to the specified address.
It is the Court's preference that proposed jury instructions be filed on ECF and a Word version of the instructions submitted via e-mail to settleorders@wawd.uscourts.gov.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | JURY INSTRUCTIONS
Chambers Communication Rules
The exhibit list must be emailed to settleorders@wawd.uscourts.gov.
Please email to settleorders@wawd.uscourts.gov
Machine summary. Not checked yet.
Page 2 | Submitting Electronic Evidence
A Word version of the proposed order must be sent to the specified email address.
send a Word version of the order to settleorders@wawd.uscourts.gov.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | STIPULATIONS
Questions about exhibit numbering should be directed by email to the courtroom deputy.
If you have any questions about this numbering requirement, please contact the courtroom deputy at mary_trent@wawd.uscourts.gov
Machine summary. Not checked yet.
Page 2 | Submitting Electronic Evidence
Questions about exhibit numbering may be directed to the courtroom deputy by email.
If you have any questions about this numbering requirement, please contact the courtroom deputy at mary_trent@wawd.uscourts.gov
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | Submitting Electronic Evidence