Basic Vocabulary

The term appellate court includes both the court of appeals and the state Supreme Court. Most appeals are decided by the court of appeals, but a few cases are decided first by the court of appeals and then by the Supreme Court, while others are decided only by the Supreme Court.

An appellant is the first party to a case to file a notice of appeal. This notice of appeal actually begins the appeal.

A cross-appellant is any party to the case who filed a notice of appeal after the appellant.

A respondent is any party to the case who did not file a notice of appeal.

The trial court refers to the Superior Court, and the trial judge is simply the judge who decided the case in the Superior Court.

The RCW, or Revised Code of Washington, is a compilation of all of the generally applicable laws enacted by the state Legislature. It can be found online or in any county law library.

The Rules of Appellate Procedure govern all cases in the court of appeals or the state Supreme Court. They can be also be found online or in any county law library.