Unlike the federal circuits, the Washington Court of Appeals is a
"unitary system"—one court that sits in three divisions, not three
separate courts. But sometimes panels from two divisions disagree with
each other, so there can be conflicting precedent. What's a trial judge
to do? And how should counsel frame their arguments to the trial court?
Learn more about the problem and possible solutions in: Mark DeForrest, In
the Groove or in a Rut? Resolving Conflicts Between the Divisions of
the Washington State Court of Appeals at the Trial Court Level, 48 Gonz. L. Rev. 431 (2013).
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| Map of Washington Court of Appeals divisions from Washington Courts website |
