Revised Code of Washington
Wash. Rev. Code § 4.36.120 (2026)
Libel or slander, how pleaded
✓ current as of May 2026
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In an action for libel or slander, it shall not be necessary to state in the complaint any extrinsic facts, for the purpose of showing the application to the plaintiff, of the defamatory matter out of which the cause arose, but it shall be sufficient to state generally, that the same was published or spoken concerning the plaintiff; and if such allegation be controverted, the plaintiff shall be bound to establish on trial that it was so published or spoken.
[Code 1881 s 99; 1877 p 22 s 99; 1854 p 142 s 61; RRS s 292.]
Notes:
Rules of court: Cf. CR 8.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3
cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1961–2024 · leading case: Farrar v. Tribune Publ'g Co., 358 P.2d 792 (Wash. 1961).
Farrar v. Tribune Publ'g Co., 358 P.2d 792 (Wash. 1961). “130, which was enacted by the first territorial legislature in 1854, provides as follows: "In an action mentioned in RCW 4.36.120 [libel and slander], the defendant may, in his answer, allege both the truth of the matter charged as defamatory, and any mitigating circumstances to…”
Hennessey v. Radius Global Solutions LLC (W.D. Wash. 2024). “020 ) 20 • Defamation (invoking Wash. Rev. Code § 4.36.120 ) 21 • Violations of the WCPA (invoking Wash.”
Hennessey v. Radius Global Solutions LLC (W.D. Wash. 2024). “15 16 (invoking Wash. Rev. Code § 4.36.120 ); violations of the Washington Consumer Protection Act 17 (invoking Wash.”
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