Here... We... GO!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Since March we have been wondering when we will ever see jury trials again in civil cases. While most cases don’t go to trial, deadlines make the defense world go around, so cases often don’t settle with trial dates. That leaves victims who have had their lives flipped upside down without any recourse.

Today, King County Superior Court took a leading role in advancing civil cases forward during the COVID-19 pandemic, while maintaining the highest regard for everyone’s safety, including jurors, court staff, parties, and lawyers.

In a 17-page emergency order, Judge Jim Rogers made a number of steps toward the new normal:

  • Widespread use of video and telephonic technology for hearings and bench trials.

  • Discovery conferences.

  • Presumptive remote depositions.

  • Return of motions for default, when a defendant fails to respond to a complaint.

  • Remote arbitrations.

  • Procedures forthcoming on remote aspects of jury trials.

Our clients are grateful for this enormous step forward, and the efforts by all County officials that went into it.

The full order is here.

Practice TipsAndrew AckleyCoronavirus, Trial