1
King County Superior Court adopted a standing order on the indigent tenant right to counsel.
The order states that once OCLA’s right to counsel plan has been implemented, “[a]t the first
hearing, the court will advise the tenant of their right to appointed counsel if indigent and inquire
whether they wish to assert that right.” Ct.’s Standing Ord. for Eviction Resol. Pilot Program
(ERPP), In re Resp. by King County Super. Ct. to Pub. Health Emergency in Wash. State, No.
21-0-12050-3, at 4 (King County Super. Ct. July 16, 2021),
https://courts.wa.gov/content/publicUpload/COVID19_King/King%20County%20Superior%20
Court%20FILED-
Court’s%20Standing%20Order%20for%20Eviction%20Resolution%20Pilot%20Program%20(E
RPP).pdf. “If so, the court shall refer the tenant to the county-specific entity designated by
[OCLA] for eligibility screening and/or appointment of counsel.” Id. If the tenant is referred,
the court may continue the hearing or grant other appropriate relief to allow the litigant to receive
assistance from counsel. Id. at 5.
8
For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.
Sangha v. Keen et al., No. 103332-0
a copy of an answer or notice of appearance” to the person who signed the summons at
the street address listed on the summons by delivery, mail, or fax. RCW 59.18.365(2)(a)-
(c).
Subsection (3) outlines the summons form to be used in unlawful detainer actions.
The summons form “shall be substantially in the [statutory] form.” RCW 59.18.365. In
addition to a caption for the action, the form states that “THIS IS AN IMPORTANT
LEGAL DOCUMENT TO EVICT YOU. YOUR WRITTEN RESPONSE MUST BE
RECEIVED BY 5:00 p.m., on . . . .” Id.