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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">I have a lease on a residential property located in County XX, with a lease clause that stipulates to venue in County ZZ, but the language is a bit weird to me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The lease says that "The parties to this agreement hereby submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the state of Washington in connection with any claims arising out of or in connection with this agreement,
and <span style="background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow">stipulate that the exclusive venue for any proceeding to confirm a determination or award made pursuant to this agreement shall be Superior Court of Washington for County ZZ</span>.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=4.12&full=true#4.12.010">RCW 4.12.010</a> says, of course: “<span style="background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow">Actions for the following causes shall
be commenced in the county in which the subject of the action, or some part thereof, is situated</span>: (1)
<span style="background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow">For the recovery of, for the possession of</span>, for the partition of, for the foreclosure of a mortgage on, or for the determination of all questions affecting the title, or for any injuries to
<span style="background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow">real property</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">So, for an unlawful detainer action, which county is the proper venue? Does the contractual stipulation to venue override RCW 4.12.010? Is unlawful detainer a “proceeding to confirm a determination or award
made pursuant to” the lease?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Any and all thoughts appreciated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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