# ELC 1.3: Rule 1.3. Definitions

> Washington · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ELC_R1_3

## Section

- **Citation:** ELC 1.3
- **Heading:** Rule 1.3. Definitions
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Court Rules / Rules of General Application / Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct / ELC 1.3

## Text

ELC 1.3
DEFINITIONS

Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, terms used in these rules have the following
meanings:

(a) "Association" means the Washington State Bar Association.

(b) “Association Counsel” means counsel for the Association other than disciplinary
counsel.

(c) "Bar file" means the pleadings, motions, rulings, decisions, and other formal papers
filed in a proceeding.

(d) "Board" when used alone means the Disciplinary Board.

(e) “Chair” when used alone means the Chair of the Disciplinary Board.

(f) “Clerk” when used alone means the Clerk to the Disciplinary Board.

(g) “Disciplinary action” means sanctions under rule 13.1 and admonitions under rule 13.5.

(h) “Final” means no review has been sought in a timely fashion or all appeals have been
concluded.

(i) “Grievant” means the person or entity who files a grievance, except for a confidential
source under rule 5.2.

(j) “Hearing officer” means the person assigned under rule 10.2(a).

(k) “Mental or physical incapacity” includes, but is not limited to, insanity, mental illness,
senility, or debilitating use of alcohol or drugs.

(l) “Party” means disciplinary counsel or respondent, except in rules 2.3(h) and 2.6(d)
“party” also includes a grievant.

(m) “Respondent” means a lawyer against whom a grievance is filed or a lawyer
investigated by disciplinary counsel.

(n) “APR” means the Admission and Practice Rules.

(o) “CR” means the Superior Court Civil Rules.

(p) “RAP” means the Rules of Appellate Procedure.

(q) “RPC” means the Rules of Professional Conduct adopted by the Washington Supreme
Court.
y” also includes a grievant.

(m) “Respondent” means a lawyer against whom a grievance is filed or a lawyer
investigated by disciplinary counsel.

(n) “APR” means the Admission and Practice Rules.

(o) “CR” means the Superior Court Civil Rules.

(p) “RAP” means the Rules of Appellate Procedure.

(q) “RPC” means the Rules of Professional Conduct adopted by the Washington Supreme
Court.

(r) Words of authority.

(1) “May” means “has discretion to,” “has a right to,” or “is permitted to.”

(2) “Must” means “is required to.”

(3) “Should” means recommended but not required, except:

(A) in rules 2.3(h) and 2.6, “should” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Code of Judicial
Conduct; and

(B) in Title 12, “should” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Rules of Appellate
Procedure. RAP 1.2 (b)

## Nearby sections

- [ELC 1.1 Rule 1.1. Scope of Rules](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ELC_R1_1.md)
- [ELC 1.2 Rule 1.2. Disciplinary Authority](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ELC_R1_2.md)
- [ELC 1.3 Rule 1.3. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ELC_R1_3.md)
- [ELC 1.4 Rule 1.4. No Statute of Limitation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ELC_R1_4.md)
- [ELC 1.5 Rule 1.5. Violation of Duties Imposed by These Rules](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ELC_R1_5.md)
- [ELC 2.1 Rule 2.1. Supreme Court](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ELC_R2_1.md)
- [ELC 2.2 Rule 2.2. Board of Governors; Disciplinary Selection Panel](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ELC_R2_2.md)
- [ELC 2.3 Rule 2.3. Disciplinary Board](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ELC_R2_3.md)
- [ELC 2.4 Rule 2.4. Review Committees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ELC_R2_4.md)
- [ELC 2.5 Rule 2.5. Hearing Officers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ELC_R2_5.md)
- [ELC 2.6 Rule 2.6. Hearing Officer Conduct](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ELC_R2_6.md)
- [ELC 2.7 Rule 2.7. Conflicts Review Officer](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ELC_R2_7.md)
- [ELC 2.8 Rule 2.8. Disciplinary Counsel; Special Disciplinary Counsel](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ELC_R2_8.md)
- [ELC 2.9 Rule 2.9. Adjunct Disciplinary Counsel](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ELC_R2_9.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ELC_R1_3. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.