Visit

Temporary Location of Washington Supreme Court and
State Law Library Open to Public January 4

An office building in Tumwater serving as the temporary location of the Washington Supreme Court and State Law Library will open to the public on January 4, 2023. The Court and its offices, which have operated remotely since the beginning of the pandemic, moved from the Temple of Justice on the Capitol Campus for needed internal infrastructure renovation of the 110-year-old building.

The temporary location at 243 Israel Road SE, Town Center Building 3, includes a conference room that will serve as a courtroom for oral arguments, with very limited space for in-person observers and with no overflow viewing capacity. However, Supreme Court oral arguments will continue to be broadcast live on TVW, and to be recorded for future viewing. Oral arguments will begin with the Court’s winter term on January 17.

Also open to the public will be lobby areas for the Supreme Court Clerk’s Office and the Washington State Law Library. Both will continue to be fully accessible through online, email and phone communications and filing capabilities. The lobby areas will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed from noon to 1 p.m. On oral argument days, the courtroom will open at 8:00 a.m. and the Clerk’s Office lobby will open at 8:30 a.m. Parking is free.

“While we miss being able to welcome people to the Temple of Justice, we are grateful that we now are able to open the courthouse doors again,” said Chief Justice Steven González. “I thank everyone who helped us administer justice openly through the pandemic.”

Security screening will be required for members of the public attending oral arguments and meetings in the courtroom. The screening will include metal detectors, emptying pockets into containers, and visual inspection of bags. State law prohibits weapons in courthouses, and weapons are not permitted in the Clerk’s Office and State Law Library.

Law Library services have been modified to fit the smaller space, but “we are thrilled to be able to welcome patrons in person once again,” said State Law Librarian Rob Mead. Browsing book stacks is not available, but reference librarians can have books waiting if patrons call or email ahead, or can retrieve them while patrons wait. Curbside service is still available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fewer titles are physically kept at the temporary location, so patrons should check the catalog at https://librarycatalog.courts.wa.gov in advance of visiting or call 360-357-2136 or email Library.Requests@courts.wa.gov for assistance.

Construction of The Temple of Justice began in 1912, the first building on the state capitol campus. Renovations will replace aged heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems, as well as lighting and plumbing systems throughout the building. Renovations are expected to be completed by late 2024.

Web site and contact information for the offices of the Washington Supreme Court and State Law Library include:

• Washington Supreme Court
• Supreme Court Clerk's Office
  (360) 357-2077
  Supreme@courts.wa.gov
  Web portal for electronic filing
• Washington State Law Library
  360-357-2136
  Library.Requests@courts.wa.gov
• Administrative Office of the Courts
  (360) 753-3365
  (800) 442-2169
• Washington Court Directories
• Virtual Court Directory