Legal Terms

A bond that must be filed by a losing party appealing a verdict from which judgment may be entered if the appeal is unsuccessful.

The primary trial courts in Washington State.  Superior Courts are administered by the counties and are the courts with general jurisdiction for claims in matters exceeding $300.00, as well as cases involving probate, family law,…

Notice to all Defendants that a lawsuit has been commenced, that they have been named as a Defendant, and that they must answer the Complaint within twenty (20) days or a default judgment may be…

A procedure by which one party seeks to persuade the court that there is no genuine issue or controversy regarding material facts, and accordingly, that the party filing the motion is entitled to prevail as…

Latin for “under the rose.”  It is a term that means secrecy and in the insurance industry, it is a term still employed by senior insurance adjusters when they talk about performing surveillance on an…

When an insurance company pays the claim of a policy holder, it also requires the policy holder to return the money if they obtain compensation from a person or manufacturer who caused the accident or…

A written command requiring a witness to produce documentary or other tangible evidence he/she possesses or controls and which are relevant to matters at issue in the case.

A written command requiring a person to appear at a certain time and place to give testimony at a deposition or other proceeding including trial or hearing.

Latin phrase meaning on his or her own motion without prompting or suggestion.  For example, when a judge issues a ruling without any party filing a motion.

Is a legal doctrine that through statute or common law makes a person liable for injuries and damages their actions or products cause, regardless of any negligence on their part.  An example is in the…