WA · rules
Wash. R. App. P. 18.8
Waiver of Rules and Extension and Reduction of Time
(a) Generally. The appellate court may, on its own initiative or on motion of a party,
waive or alter the provisions of any of these rules and enlarge or shorten the time within which
an act must be done in a particular case in order to serve the ends of justice, subject to the
restrictions in sections (b) and (c).
Streamlined Extensions of Time for Filing Briefs in the Court of Appeals. If a party in the
Court of Appeals has not previously filed a motion for an extension of time to file a brief
authorized by RAP 10.2(a)-(c), that party may obtain a single streamlined extension of time to
file that brief not to exceed 30 days. A party requesting a streamlined extension of time should
file a written request as set forth in RAP Form 25. The clerk will approve requests that comply
with this rule and will provide a new schedule. The clerk will inform parties not eligible for relief
under this subsection as to the appropriate method to obtain relief. A streamlined extension of
time to file a brief is not available if an appeal has been accelerated.
(b) Restriction on Extension of Time. The appellate court will only in extraordinary
circumstances and to prevent a gross miscarriage of justice extend the time within which a party
must file a notice of appeal, a notice for discretionary review, a motion for discretionary review
of a decision of the Court of Appeals, a petition for review, or a motion for reconsideration. The
appellate court will ordinarily hold that the desirability of finality of decisions outweighs the
privilege of a litigant to obtain an extension of time under this section. The motion to extend time
is determined by the appellate court to which the untimely notice, motion, or petition is directed.
(c) Restriction on Changing Decision. The appellate court will not enlarge the time
provided in rule 12.7 within which the appellate court may change or modify its decision.
(d) Terms. The remedy for violation of these rules is set forth in rule 18.9. The court may
condition the exercise of its authority under this rule by imposing terms or awarding
compensatory damages, or both, as provided in rule 18.9.
History
[Adopted effective July 1, 1976; Amended effective July 2, 1976; October 1, 2024; October 28, 2025.]
Provenance
- Source
- www.courts.wa.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-09-16
- Edition
- 2026-09-16
- Content hash
4c4a04c7b34831ba2a95c477ab4e7471f8c2eab45d4c45b32b8ea7d68ad4a9e3
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