Civil Matters

Civil Jurisdiction

District Court has jurisdiction over the following types of civil actions if the amount in controversy does not exceed $100,000:

  • Actions arising on a contract for the recovery of money
  • Actions for damages for injuries to a person
  • Actions for taking, detaining or injuring personal property
  • Actions for an injury to real property when the suit does not involve the plaintiff's title to or possession of the real property
  • Actions to recover the possession of personal property
  • Actions for a penalty
  • Actions upon a bond conditioned for the payment of money
  • Actions on an undertaking or security bond taken by the court
  • Actions for damages for fraud in a sale, purchase or exchange of personal property
  • Proceedings to issue writs of attachment, garnishment or replevin upon goods, chattels, moneys and effects
  • All other actions and proceedings in which jurisdiction is specifically granted by statute, when the title to, or right of possession of, real property is not involved.
  • The $100,000 amount in controversy does not include interest, costs, and attorney's fees.
Limit of Jurisdiction

The District Court does not, under any circumstances, have jurisdiction over actions which involve the following, pursuant to RCW 3.66.030:

  • Title to real property
  • Foreclosure of a mortgage or enforcement of a lien on real estate
  • False imprisonment, libel, slander, malicious prosecution, criminal conversation, or seduction
  • A person in his or her capacity as an executor or administrator of an estate
Forms

The District Court does not provide any civil proceeding forms. You will need to contact an attorney for assistance with your paperwork filing or purchase paperwork from an office supply business.