EX PARTE MOTION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER

(Washington Superior Court – Template)

[// GUIDANCE: Designed for TRO practice under Washington Superior Court Civil Rule (CR) 65 and RCW 7.40. Confirm compliance with county-specific local rules (e.g., King County LCR 65(b)), electronic filing standards (GR 30, LGR 30), and ex parte department procedures.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Caption ..................................................................................................................... 1
2. Ex Parte Motion and Notice ................................................................................... 2
3. Memorandum of Authorities .................................................................................. 4
   3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 4
   3.2 Procedural Background ............................................................................ 4
   3.3 Legal Standard (CR 65; RCW 7.40) .......................................................... 5
   3.4 Argument ................................................................................................... 6
   3.4.1 Immediate and Irreparable Harm ................................................. 6
   3.4.2 Likelihood of Success on the Merits ............................................ 7
   3.4.3 Balance of Equities and Public Interest ...................................... 8
   3.5 Requested Relief and Security (CR 65(c)) ............................................... 9
4. Attorney Certification Regarding Notice ............................................................ 10
5. [Proposed] Order .................................................................................................. 12
6. Certificate of Service (CR 5; CR 71) .................................................................. 14

(Page numbers will auto-generate in final formatting)

1. CAPTION

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SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON
FOR [COUNTY NAME] COUNTY

[PLAINTIFF NAME], ) No. [Case Number]
Plaintiff, )
v. ) EX PARTE MOTION FOR
) TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER
[DEFENDANT NAME], )
Defendant. )

2. EX PARTE MOTION AND NOTICE

TO: [Opposing Counsel/Party]

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that [Moving Party] moves the Court ex parte for a Temporary Restraining Order pursuant to CR 65(b) and RCW 7.40. The motion will be presented to the Ex Parte and Probate Department (or assigned judge) on [Hearing Date] at [Time] at [Courthouse Address].

Immediate and irreparable injury will occur before the matter can be heard on regular notice because [Describe imminent harm, e.g., dissipation of assets, wrongful eviction, disclosure of trade secrets, environmental damage]. Monetary damages are inadequate, and delay will frustrate the Court’s ability to preserve the status quo.

Counsel [provided / attempted / seeks waiver of] notice to [Opposing Counsel/Party] on [Date] at [Time] via [telephone/email/fax/personal service], as detailed in the Attorney Certification below. [// GUIDANCE: If notice is waived, identify specific facts showing why notice should not be required under CR 65(b)(1)(A).]

This motion relies on the Verified [Complaint/Petition], supporting declarations of [Names], the Memorandum of Authorities, the Attorney Certification Regarding Notice, and the [Proposed] Order filed concurrently.

DATED: [MM/DD/YYYY]

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Respectfully submitted,

[LAW FIRM NAME]

By: _____
[ATTORNEY NAME], WSBA No. [Number]
Attorneys for [Moving Party]

3. MEMORANDUM OF AUTHORITIES

3.1 Introduction

[// GUIDANCE: Provide a succinct summary of the emergency, requested relief, and supporting legal theories.]

3.2 Procedural Background

1. Case Initiation: [Date complaint/petition filed]
2. Service Status: [Describe service or waiver]
3. Prior Proceedings: [Identify prior orders, administrative actions, or related litigation]
4. Timeline of Urgent Events: [Chronological detail of facts necessitating relief]

3.3 Legal Standard (CR 65; RCW 7.40)

CR 65(b) authorizes a temporary restraining order without notice when specific facts clearly show immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will result before the adverse party can be heard, and the movant’s attorney certifies efforts to provide notice. Washington courts evaluate (1) likelihood of success on the merits, (2) irreparable harm, (3) balance of equities, and (4) public interest. See Tyler Pipe Indus., Inc. v. Dep’t of Revenue, 96 Wn.2d 785, 638 P.2d 1213 (1982); Kucera v. Dep’t of Transp., 140 Wn.2d 200, 995 P.2d 63 (2000). Bond is generally required under CR 65(c) and RCW 7.40.080.

3.4 Argument

3.4.1 Immediate and Irreparable Harm

[// GUIDANCE: Detail imminent harm with references to supporting declarations. Explain why legal remedies are inadequate and delay would cause irreparable damage.]

3.4.2 Likelihood of Success on the Merits

[// GUIDANCE: Analyze substantive claims, citing Washington statutes and case law. Address anticipated defenses.]

3.4.3 Balance of Equities and Public Interest

[// GUIDANCE: Show that the relief preserves the status quo, minimizes prejudice to Respondent, and supports public policy (e.g., consumer protection, environmental stewardship).]

3.5 Requested Relief and Security (CR 65(c))

[// GUIDANCE: Specify requested TRO terms, propose setting a preliminary injunction hearing within 14 days as required by CR 65(b), and recommend a bond amount or grounds for waiver under CR 65(c) and RCW 7.40.080.]

4. ATTORNEY CERTIFICATION REGARDING NOTICE

I, [Counsel Name], certify under penalty of perjury pursuant to the laws of the State of Washington that:

1. I represent [Moving Party] in this matter.
2. On [Date] at [Time], I notified [Opposing Counsel/Party] of the intent to seek an ex parte TRO by [method].
3. The response received was [Describe response/no response].
4. If notice was not provided, I made the following diligent efforts: [Detail efforts]. Notice should be excused because [Explain exigent circumstances consistent with CR 65(b)(1)(A)].
5. I informed [Opposing Counsel/Party] that the motion would be presented on [Hearing Date] at [Time] in [Courtroom].

Executed on [MM/DD/YYYY] at [City, State].

text

[COUNSEL NAME], WSBA No. [Number]

5. [PROPOSED] ORDER

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SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON
FOR [COUNTY NAME] COUNTY

[CAPTION SAME AS ABOVE]

[PROPOSED] TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

The Court, having considered Plaintiff’s Ex Parte Motion for Temporary Restraining Order, supporting declarations, and counsel’s certification, FINDS that immediate and irreparable injury will result before Defendant can be heard. It is therefore ORDERED:

1. The Ex Parte Motion is GRANTED pursuant to CR 65(b).
2. Defendant and all persons acting in concert with Defendant are enjoined from:
   a. [Specify prohibited conduct];
   b. [Specify additional restraints or mandatory provisions].
3. Defendant shall appear on [Date] at [Time] in Courtroom [Number], [Courthouse Address], to show cause why a preliminary injunction should not issue.
4. Plaintiff shall post a bond in the amount of $[Amount] pursuant to CR 65(c) and RCW 7.40.080 by [Date].
5. Plaintiff shall serve this Order, the motion, and supporting papers on Defendant by [method] on or before [Date], and promptly file proof of service.
6. This Order shall remain in effect until [Expiration Date/Time], unless extended for good cause or by consent pursuant to CR 65(b).

DATED: _____ _____
Judge [JUDGE NAME]
Washington Superior Court

6. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE (CR 5; CR 71)

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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that on [Date], I served the foregoing EX PARTE MOTION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER on the following:

[Service List: Name, Firm, Address, Email]

☐ Washington Courts electronic filing portal (if applicable)
☐ E-Mail (agreement on file per CR 5(b)(7))
☐ First-Class Mail
☐ Legal Messenger/Courier
☐ Personal Service by [Process Server]

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington that the foregoing is true and correct.

Date: [Date] at [City, State]

[NAME OF DECLARANT]

[// GUIDANCE: Attach supporting declarations, exhibits, and any county-specific cover sheets (e.g., King County Ex Parte via the Clerk working papers).]