Rule SCCAR 7.2 - Procedure After Request For Trial De Novo(a) Sealing. The clerk shall seal any arbitration award if a trial de novo is requested. Such sealing shall prohibit judicial officers' access to the award until the trial de novo is completed or the case is otherwise completed, at which time the clerk shall unseal the award.(b) No Reference to Arbitration; Use of Testimony.(1) The trial de novo shall be conducted as though no arbitration proceeding had occurred. No reference shall be made to the arbitration award, in any pleading, brief, or other written or oral statement to the trial court or jury either before or during the trial, nor, in a jury trial, shall the jury be informed that there has been an arbitration proceeding.(2) Testimony given during the arbitration proceeding is admissible in subsequent proceedings to the extent allowed by the Rules of Evidence, except that the testimony shall not be identified as having been given in an arbitration proceeding.(c) Relief Sought. The relief sought at a trial de novo shall not be restricted by RCW 7.06, local arbitration rule, or any prior waiver or stipulation made for purposes of arbitration.(d) Arbitrator as Witness. The arbitrator shall not be called as a witness at the trial de novo.Wash. Super. Ct. Civ. Arb. R. SCCAR 7.2
Adopted effective 7/1/1980; Amended effective 9/1/1989; 12/3/2019; amended effective 2/1/2021.