Wash. Gen. R. 27

(a) Generally. RCW 26.12.240 and RCW 11.130.165 allow counties to create a

Courthouse Facilitator Program to provide basic services to self-represented persons in family

law and guardianship cases. This rule applies only to Courthouse Facilitator Programs created

pursuant to RCW 26.12.240 or RCW 11.130.165.

(b) The Washington State Supreme Court shall create a Courthouse Facilitator Advisory

Committee supported by the Administrative Office of the Courts to establish minimum

qualifications; develop and administer a curriculum of initial and ongoing training requirements;

and address legal, ethical, and access-related issues (including access for persons with

disabilities, language barriers, and others who experience barriers that limit their ability to

effectively participate in legal proceedings) for Courthouse Facilitators. The Administrative

Office of the Courts shall assist counties in administering Courthouse Facilitator Programs and

update the training curriculum biennially.

(c) Definitions. For the purpose of this rule, the following definitions apply:

(1) Basic Services include but are not limited to:

(A) Referrals: Making referrals to legal and social service resources, including legal aid,

pro bono, lawyer referrals, alternate dispute resolution programs, and other appropriate

resources, including online resources where relevant forms and instructions can be obtained.

(B) Access and Accessibility: Assisting individuals in the preparation of forms and

materials for the waiver of filing fees and surcharges (GR 34), requests for reasonable

accommodations (GR 33), and the appointment of interpreters for individuals who are Deaf; hard

of hearing; or who do not speak, read, or write English proficiently. Additionally, educating

individuals about available language and accessibility resources. Explanation and instruction

regarding court rules and procedures related to use of technology, including but not limited to

remote or virtual court appearance and e-filing; assistance with remote/virtual appearance at

hearings to assist the court and self-represented persons.

(C) Court Procedures: Assisting self-represented persons to identify and understand how

basic court rules, procedures, and logistics apply to their cases, including how to comply with

requirements for starting the case, when and how to file and serve motions and other necessary

documents, scheduling hearings, authenticating and presenting documents, preserving and

appealing decisions, discovery rules and options, obtaining and enforcing judgements or other

final orders (including trial setting and related rules) and other procedures relevant to their cases.

(D) Completion of Forms: Explaining legal terms, assisting self-represented persons to

identify, select, and compete forms that have been approved by the court, Clerk’s Office, or the

Administrative Office of the Courts, and reviewing documents to determine whether the forms

have been properly completed and procedural requirements satisfied. This includes assisting self-represented persons to calculate child support using financial information they provide on

required forms.

(E) Assisting with Proceedings Under Directions of the Court: Attendance at hearings to

assist the court where allowed by local practice; assistance with preparation of court orders under

the direction of the court.

(2) A Courthouse Facilitator is an individual who has met or exceeded the minimum

qualifications and completed the curriculum developed by the Courthouse Facilitator Advisory

Committee and provides basic services in family law or guardianship cases in a Superior Court.

(3) Family Law cases refer to those initiated under Title 26 RCW and include, but are not

limited to: divorce, invalidity, and legal separation; establishment of parentage, de facto

parentage, parenting plan, and child support; modification of child support, parenting plan, and

previously entered nonparental custody orders; and relative (nonparent) visitation.

(4) Guardianship cases include adult, minor, and veteran guardianship cases filed under

chapters 11.90, 11.130, and 73.36 RCW.

(5) Protection Order cases include cases filed under Chapter 7.105 RCW.

(d) No attorney-client relationship or privilege is created, by implication or by inference,

between a Courthouse Facilitator providing basic services under this rule and the users (self-represented persons) of Courthouse Facilitator Program services.

(e) Courthouse Facilitators providing basic services under this rule are not engaged in the

unauthorized practice of law. Upon a Courthouse Facilitator’s voluntary or involuntary

termination from a Courthouse Facilitator Program, that person is no longer a Courthouse

Facilitator providing services pursuant to RCW 26.12.240, 11.130.165, or this rule.

(f) Courthouse Facilitators shall, whenever reasonably practical, obtain a written and

signed disclaimer of attorney-client relationship, attorney-client confidentiality and

representation from each self-represented person utilizing the services of the Courthouse

Facilitator. The prescribed disclaimer shall be in the format outlined in the Courthouse Facilitator

Manual.

(g) Courthouse Facilitators shall ensure their services are meaningfully available to persons

with disabilities and persons for whom English is not their primary language. Consistent with the

general expectations outlined in GR 33, Courthouse Facilitators shall, upon request, make

reasonable accommodations to enable persons with disabilities to effectively access services

from the Courthouse Facilitator. Courthouse Facilitators shall coordinate interpreter services to

enable persons for whom English is not a primary language and persons who are Deaf or hard of

hearing to effectively access services from the Courthouse Facilitator.