WSR 17-12-074

RULES OF COURT

[June 1, 2017]

The Legal Foundation of Washington, having recommended the adoption of the proposed amendment to CR 23—Class Actions, and the Court having considered the amendment and comments submitted thereto, and having determined that the proposed amendment will aid in the prompt and orderly administration of justice;

Now, therefore, it is hereby

(a) That the amendment as shown below is adopted.

(b) That the amendment will be published in the Washington Reports and will become effective September 1, 2017.

DATED at Olympia, Washington this 1st day of June 2017.

RULE CR 23

CLASS ACTIONS

(a)-(e) [Unchanged]

(f) Disposition of Residual Funds.

(1) "Residual Funds" are funds that remain after the payment of all approved class member claims, expenses, litigation costs, attorneys' fees, and other court-approved disbursements to implement the relief granted. Nothing in this rule is intended to limit the parties to a class action from suggesting, or the trial court from approving, a settlement that does not create residual funds.

(2) Any order entering a judgment or approving a proposed compromise of a class action certified under this rule that establishes a process for identifying and compensating members of the class shall provide for the disbursement of residual funds. In matters where the claims process has been exhausted and residual funds remain, not less than twenty-five percent (25%) fifty percent (50%) of the residual funds shall be disbursed to the Legal Foundation of Washington to support activities and programs that promote access to the civil justice system for low income residents of Washington State. The court may disburse the balance of any residual funds beyond the minimum percentage to the Legal Foundation of Washington or to any other entity for purposes that have a direct or indirect relationship to the objectives of the underlying litigation or otherwise promote the substantive or procedural interests of members of the certified class.