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.

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.