§4.2 Text of Rule
Jurisdiction | Washington |
§4.2 TEXT OF RULE
RULE 4. PROCESS
(a) Summons - Issuance.
(1) The summons must be signed and dated by the plaintiff or his attorney, and directed to the defendant requiring him to defend the action and to serve a copy of his appearance or defense on the person whose name is signed on the summons.
(2) Unless a statute or rule provides for a different time requirement, the summons shall require the defendant to serve a copy of his defense within 20 days after the service of summons, exclusive of the day of service. If a statute or rule other than this rule provides for a different time to serve a defense, that time shall be stated in the summons.
(3) A notice of appearance, if made, shall be in writing, shall be signed by the defendant or his attorney, and shall be served upon the person whose name is signed on the summons. In condemnation cases a notice of appearance only shall be served on the person whose name is signed on the petition.
(4) No summons is necessary for a counterclaim or cross claim for any person who previously has been made a party. Counterclaims and cross claims against an existing party may be served as provided in rule 5.
(b) Summons.
(1) Contents. The summons for personal service shall contain:
(i) The title of the cause, specifying the name of the court in which the action is brought, the name of the county designated by the plaintiff as the place of trial, and the names of the parties to the action, plaintiff and defendant;
(ii) A direction to the defendant summoning him to serve a copy of his defense within a time stated in the summons;
(iii)A notice that, in case of failure so to do, judgment will be rendered against him by default. It shall be signed and dated by the plaintiff, or his attorney, with the addition of his post office address, at which the papers in the action may be served on him by mail.
(2) Form. Except in condemnation cases, and except as provided in rule 4.1, the summons for personal service in the state shall be substantially in the following form:
SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON
FOR [ ] COUNTY
, ) |
|
Plaintiff, ) |
No. |
) |
Summons [20 days] |
v. ) |
|
, ) |
|
Defendant. ) |
TO THE DEFENDANT: A lawsuit has been started against you in the above entitled court by , plaintiff. Plaintiff's claim is stated in the written complaint, a copy of which is served upon you with this summons.
In order to defend against this lawsuit, you must respond to the complaint by stating your defense in writing, and by serving a copy upon the person signing this summons within 20 days after the service of this summons, excluding the day of service, or a default judgment may be entered against you without notice. A default judgment is one where plaintiff is entitled to what he asks for because you have not responded. If you serve a notice of appearance on the undersigned person, you are entitled to notice before a default judgment may be entered.
You may demand that the plaintiff file this lawsuit with the court. If you do so, the demand must be in writing and must be served upon the person signing this summons. Within 14 days after you serve the demand, the plaintiff must file this lawsuit with the court, or the service on you of this summons and complaint will be void.
If you wish to seek the advice of an attorney in this matter, you should do so promptly so that your written response, if any, may be served on time.
This summons is issued pursuant to rule 4 of the Superior Court Civil Rules of the State of Washington.
[signed]
Print or Type Name
( ) Plaintiff ( ) Plaintiff's Attorney
P.O. Address
Dated
Telephone Number
(c) By Whom Served. Service of summons and process, except when service is by publication, shall be by the sheriff of the county wherein the service is made, or by his deputy, or by any person over 18 years of age who is competent to be a witness in the action, other than a party. Subpoenas may be served as provided in rule 45.
(d) Service.
(1) Of Summons and Complaint. The summons and complaint shall be served together.
(2)Personal in State. Personal service of summons and other process shall be as provided in RCW 4.28.080-.090 , 23B.05.40 23B.15.100, 46.64.040. and 48.05.200 and -.210, and other statutes which provide for personal service.
(3)By Publication. Service of summons and other process by publication shall be as provided in RCW 4.28.100 and .110, 13.34.080., and 26.33.310, and other statutes which provide for service by publication.
(4) Alternative to Service by Publication. In circumstances justifying service by publication, if the serving party files an affidavit stating facts from which the court determines that service by mail is just as likely to give actual notice as service by publication, the court may order that service be made by any person over 18 years of age, who is competent to be a witness, other than a party, by mailing copies of the summons and other process to the party to be served at his last known address or any other address determined by the court to be appropriate. Two copies shall be mailed, postage prepaid, one by ordinary first class mail and the other by a form of mail requiring a signed receipt showing when and to whom it was delivered. The envelopes must bear the return address of the sender. The summons shall contain the date it was deposited in the mail and shall require the defendant to appear and answer the complaint within 90 days from the date of mailing. Service under this subsection has the same jurisdictional effect as service by publication.
(5) Appearance. A voluntary appearance of a defendant does not preclude his right to challenge lack of jurisdiction over his person, insufficiency of process, or insufficiency of service of process pursuant to rule 12(b).
(e) Other Service.
(1) Generally. Whenever a statute or an order of court there under provides for service of a summons, or of a notice, or of an order in lieu of summons upon a party not an inhabitant of or not found within the state, service may be...
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