§81.6 Analysis

• Jurisdiction: Washington

§81.6ANALYSIS

This section analyzes the application of CR 81.

(1)Application of CR 81(a)

Under CR 81(a), whether the Superior Court Civil Rules apply depends on (1) whether the proceeding is a "special proceeding" and (2) whether an irreconcilable conflict exists between the civil rules and a specific statutory provision or rule governing "special proceedings." See, e.g., State v. Higgins,75 Wn.2d 110, 118, 449 P.2d 393 (1969) (analyzing whether civil rules governing jury interrogatories conflict with statutory provisions governing eminent domain proceedings). Whether aproceeding is a" special proceeding" can be of great importance because, under CR 81(b), a conflicting statute or rule relating to procedure in a "general" as opposed to a "special" proceeding will be superseded by the civil rules.

Unfortunately, CR 81(a) does not define the term "special proceedings." Hoagland v. Mt. Vernon Sch. Dist. No. 320,23 Wn.App. 650, 653, 597 P.2d 1376 (1979), aff'd,95 Wn.2d 424, 623 P.2d 1156 (1981). However, "[t]he generally accepted reference to special proceedings concerns attachment, certiorari, mandamus, prohibition and others incorporated under Title 7, RCW." Id.

Moreover, the Washington Supreme Court defines "special proceedings" to "include only those proceedings created or completely transformed by the legislature. This would...