Rule RAP 2.4 - Scope of Review of a Trial Court Decision(a) Generally. The appellate court will, at the instance of the appellant, review the decision or parts of the decision designated in the notice of appeal or, subject to RAP 2.3(e) in the notice for discretionary review, and other decisions in the case as provided in sections (b), (c), (d), and (e). The appellate court will, at the instance of the respondent, review those acts in the proceeding below which if repeated on remand would constitute error prejudicial to respondent. The appellate court will grant a respondent affirmative relief by modifying the decision which is the subject matter of the review only (1) if the respondent also seeks review of the decision by the timely filing of a notice of appeal or a notice of discretionary review, or (2) if demanded by the necessities of the case.(b) Order or Ruling Not Designated in Notice. The appellate court will review a trial court order or ruling not designated in the notice, including an appealable order, if (1) the order or ruling prejudicially affects the decision designated in the notice, and (2) the order is entered, or the ruling is made, before the appellate court accepts review. A timely notice of appeal of a trial court decision relating to attorney fees and costs does not bring up for review a decision previously entered in the action that is otherwise appealable under rule 2.2(a) unless a timely notice of appeal has been filed to seek review of the previous decision.(c) Final Judgment Not Designated in Notice. Except as provided in rule 2.4(b), the appellate court will review a final judgment not designated in the notice only if the notice designates an order deciding a timely motion based on (1) CR 50(a) (judgment as a matter of law), (2) CR 52(b) (amendment of findings), (3) CR 59 (reconsideration, new trial, and amendment of judgments), (4) CrR 7.4 (arrest of judgment), or (5) CrR 7.5 (new trial).(d) Order Deciding Alternative Posttrial Motions in Civil Case. An appeal from the judgment granted on a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict brings up for review the ruling of the trial court on a motion for new trial. If the appellate court reverses the judgment notwithstanding the verdict, the appellate court will review the ruling on the motion for a new trial.(e) Order Deciding Alternative Posttrial Motions in Criminal Case. An appeal from an order granting a motion in arrest of judgment brings up for review the ruling of the trial court on a motion for new trial. If the appellate court reverses the order granting the motion in arrest of judgment, the appellate court will review the ruling on a motion for new trial.(f) Decisions on Certain Motions Not Designated in Notice. An appeal from a final judgment brings up for review the ruling of the trial court on an order deciding a timely motion based on (1) CR 50(b) (judgment as a matter of law), (2) CR 52(b) (amendment of findings), (3) CR 59 (reconsideration, new trial, and amendment of judgments), (4) CrR 7.4 (arrest of judgment), or (5) CrR 7.5 (new trial).(g) Award of Attorney Fees. An appeal from a decision on the merits of a case brings up for review an award of attorney fees entered after the appellate court accepts review of the decision on the merits. References
Rule 5.2, Time Allowed To File Notice, (f) Subsequent notice by other parties.
Adopted effective 7/1/1976; amended effective 9/1/1994; 9/1/1998; 12/24/2002; 9/1/2010; 9/1/2018.