Court of Appeals - Current Law

Article IV, State Constitution; RCW 2.06

The Court of Appeals is a non-discretionary appellate court; it must accept all appeals filed with it. Most cases appealed from superior courts go directly to the Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals has authority to reverse (overrule), remand (send back to the lower court), modify, or affirm the decision of the lower court. The court decides each case after reviewing the transcript of the record in the superior court and considering the arguments of the parties. Generally, the court hears oral arguments in each case but it does not take live testimony. Decisions of the Court of Appeals are appealed to the Supreme Court. The court is divided into three divisions, each of which serves a specific geographic area of the state: Division I is located in Seattle; Division II is located in Tacoma; and Division III is located in Spokane.

Agency Mission

The Court of Appeals, pursuant to Article IV, Section 30 of the Washington State Constitution and Chapter 2.06 RCW, is the state's non-discretionary appellate court with authority to reverse (overrule), remand (send back to lower court), modify, or affirm the decisions of the lower courts. The court's mission remains one of providing an independent, accessible, and responsive forum for the just resolution of disputes.
Request 50,254,000
Net change from current biennium 5,872,000 Increase
Percent change from current biennium 13.2% Increase

Operating Budget: Summary

Appropriated Funds

2021-23 Appropriations Appropriated Funds Expenditures
Amount Estimated Balance   2019-21 Actual 2021-23 Estimated 2023-25 Proposed
Savings Incentive Account - Nonappropriated
44,382,000 General Fund - State 41,044,974 44,382,000 50,254,000
Pension Funding Stabilization Acct - State 1,492,000
44,382,000 Total Appropriated Funds 42,536,974 44,382,000 50,254,000

Non-Appropriated Funds

Capital Budget: Summary

  Appropriated Funds Expenditures
Amount Estimated Balance   Actual Estimated Proposed
27,000 27,000 State Building Construction Account - State
27,000 27,000 Total Appropriated Funds

Operating Budget: Program Summary

Program Title Actual Estimated Proposed
Actual Estimated Estimated Proposed Proposed
Annual Total 21,568,321 20,989,133 7,029,280 24,934,000 25,320,000

Operating Budget: Change from Preceding Biennium

Actual Estimated Proposed
Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent
6,282,156 17.3% (14,518,560) (34.1%) 22,235,587 79.4%

Employment Summary

  Actual Estimated Proposed
  2020-21 Actual 2021-22 Estimated 2022-23 Estimated 2023-24 Proposed 2024-25 Proposed
FTE Staff Years 132.7 131.2 131.0 139.9 141.3