--- name: wa-schedule-hearing description: > Use this skill when the user needs to reserve a motion hearing date in King County District Court. Triggers include "reserve a hearing date", "schedule a hearing in KCDC", "email CivilMGT", "request a motion docket date", "how do I set a hearing in Burien", "what do I send to KCDC.CivilMGT", "I need to get a hearing date before I can file". Drafts the scheduling email — the required step 1 of the three-step KCDC motion-docket protocol (email → clerk-issued date → e-file within clerk's deadline). The Note for Motion Docket and packet are handled by `wa-draft-note` and `wa-file-packet` after the clerks issue the date. version: 0.1.1 --- # KCDC Hearing-Date Scheduling Email In King County District Court, a civil motion cannot simply be self-noted for a date picked off the calendar. The moving party must first email the calendar clerks (`KCDC.CivilMGT@kingcounty.gov`) to **request** a date; the clerks issue a reserved date (with courtroom and e-filing deadline) by reply. Motions noted for a date the clerks did not issue are rejected. **This skill handles step 1 of the three-step protocol.** Use it before drafting the Note for Motion Docket and before e-filing anything. > **NOT LEGAL ADVICE.** This skill drafts a scheduling email as a > procedural aid, not legal advice. Verify current KCDC clerk > protocols and local-rule requirements before sending. Pair with > substantive review by counsel where stakes warrant. ## Inputs to gather 1. **Case caption + cause number** — case short title and cause-number format `YYCIV######KCX` 2. **Division** — East (Redmond) / South (Burien) / West (Seattle) 3. **Assigned judge** — if known (from the summons or a prior order) 4. **Role** — pro se defendant / pro se plaintiff / counsel 5. **Exact motion title** — the title that will appear on the Note and on the filed motion, e.g., "Defendant's Motion to Compel Discovery under CR 37(a) (applicable through CRLJ 26(f))" 6. **Preferred hearing date + time** — pick from the division's published civil motions calendar 7. **1–2 alternative dates** — strongly recommended; reduces back-and-forth with the clerks 8. **Contact block** — filer name, address, phone, email ## Steps 1. **Load KCDC context.** Read `skills/wa-kcdc/SKILL.md` and `skills/wa-kcdc/references/civil-motion-docket.md` for the current protocol, plus any division-specific notes (`skills/wa-kcdc/references/south-division-burien.md`). 2. **Pull the current motions calendar.** Before suggesting a date, confirm availability from: https://kingcounty.gov/en/court/district-court/courts-jails-legal-system/civil-filings Hearing days rotate by division and change without notice — do not rely on dates cached in this plugin or on any prior session's assumptions. 3. **Do NOT attach the Note for Motion Docket.** The Note is filed through the portal **after** the clerks issue the date. Attaching it to the scheduling email is redundant and can cause confusion. 4. **Compose the email.** The subject line mirrors the caption so the clerks can match it to the division's calendar: ``` To: KCDC.CivilMGT@kingcounty.gov Subject: Hearing Date Request — [Case Short Title], Case No. [Cause Number] Dear Clerks: I am the [pro se defendant / pro se plaintiff / counsel] in [case short title], Case No. [cause number], assigned to Judge [name] in the [Division, e.g., South Division, Burien Courthouse]. I am requesting to reserve [preferred date] at [preferred time] for a hearing on [exact motion title]. If that date is not available, I would alternatively request [alt 1, alt 2]. Thank you, [Name][, pro se designation if applicable] [Address] [Phone] [Email] ``` 5. **Verify the MUST-contain checklist.** Before offering the draft, confirm the email contains each of: - [ ] Case number(s) — in the subject line and body - [ ] Type of hearing requested — the exact motion title - [ ] Requested hearing date **and time** - [ ] 1–2 alternative dates (strongly recommended) - [ ] Filer's contact block These are the clerks' published MUST-contain items. 6. **CC opposing counsel? Optional.** Tell the user: - Some practitioners CC opposing counsel at this stage for transparency - Others wait until the date is issued and include opposing counsel on the e-filing service record - Either is acceptable under CRLJ 5; service is required at e-filing, not at scheduling 7. **Deliver the draft.** Options: - Paste-ready plain-text block (default) — the user copies it into Gmail / Outlook - `.eml` file saved to the case folder (optional) — use Write with `.eml` extension if the user prefers 8. **Explain the downstream flow** so the user knows what's next: - [ ] Send the email today - [ ] Wait for the clerks' confirmation (typically same day or next business day); confirmation identifies the reserved courtroom and sets an e-filing deadline — normally **2 business days** from the confirmation - [ ] Once the date is issued, hand off to `wa-draft-note` for the Note for Motion Docket (with the clerk-issued date) - [ ] Hand off to `wa-file-packet` to assemble motion + declaration + exhibits + proposed order + note + certificate of service, and e-file through the portal **by the clerk's deadline** - [ ] Serve opposing counsel the same day per CRLJ 5; attach a Certificate of Service to the filing - [ ] Failure to timely e-file will cancel the hearing and release the date ## Notes - **Three-step protocol**: (1) request a date from CivilMGT; (2) the clerks issue the date by reply; (3) e-file the packet within the clerk's stated deadline - The CivilMGT inbox is centralized (staffed at the Seattle / West Division court) even for Burien or Redmond matters - **Continuances and strikes** are handled separately: - Continuances: file an Agreed Motion to Continue and Proposed Order ex parte through the portal (or a noted Motion to Continue if opposing won't stipulate) - Strikes: advise the court at least **1 business day** before the scheduled hearing and notify all parties - For non-KCDC Washington courts, this skill is not the right tool — use `wa-draft-note` directly