Rule 56 - Summary Judgment(a) For claimant. A party seeking to recover upon a claim, counterclaim, or a cross-claim may, at any time after the return day as provided in Rule 12(a) or after service of a motion for summary judgment by the adverse party, move with or without supporting affidavits for a summary judgment in the party's favor upon all or any part thereof. (b) For defending party. A party against whom a claim, counterclaim, or cross-claim is asserted may, at any time, move with or without supporting affidavits for a summary judgment in the party's favor as to all or any part thereof. (c) Motion and proceedings thereon. The motion shall be filed and served at least 10 days before the date fixed for the hearing. The adverse party may file and serve opposing memorandum and/or affidavits 72 hours before the time fixed for the hearing. The moving party may file and serve a reply 24 hours after the service of the opposition memorandum and/or affidavits. The judgment sought shall be rendered forthwith if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law. A summary judgment, interlocutory in character, may be rendered on the issue of liability alone although there is a genuine issue as to the amount of damages. (d) Case not fully adjudicated on motion. If on motion under this rule judgment is not rendered upon the whole case or for all the relief asked and a trial is necessary, the court at the hearing of the motion, by examining the pleadings and the evidence before it and by interrogating counsel, shall if practicable ascertain what material facts exist without substantial controversy and what material facts are actually and in good faith controverted. It shall thereupon make an order specifying the facts that appear without substantial controversy, including the extent to which the amount of damages or other relief is not in controversy, and directing such further proceedings in the action as are just. Upon the trial of the action the facts so specified shall be deemed established, and the trial shall be conducted accordingly. (e) Form of affidavits; further testimony. Supporting and opposing affidavits shall be made on personal knowledge, shall set forth such facts as would be admissible in evidence, and shall show affirmatively that the affiant is competent to testify to the matters stated therein. Sworn or certified copies of all papers or parts thereof referred to in an affidavit shall be attached thereto or served therewith. The court may permit affidavits to be supplemented or opposed by depositions or by further affidavits. When a motion for summary judgment is made and supported as provided in this rule, an adverse party may not rest upon the mere allegations or denials of the adverse party's pleading, but the party's response, by affidavits or as otherwise provided in this rule, must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial. If the adverse party does not so respond, summary judgment, if appropriate, shall be entered against the adverse party. (f) When affidavits are unavailable. Should it appear from the affidavits of a party opposing the motion that the party cannot for reasons stated present by affidavit facts essential to justify that party's opposition, the court may refuse the application for judgment or may order a continuance to permit affidavits to be obtained or depositions to be taken or discovery to be had or may make such other order as is just. (g) Affidavits made in bad faith. Should it appear to the satisfaction of the court at any time that any of the affidavits presented pursuant to this rule are presented in bad faith or solely for the purpose of delay, the court shall forthwith order the party employing them to pay to the other party the amount of the reasonable expenses which the filing of the affidavits caused the other party to incur, including reasonable attorney's fees, and any offending party or attorney may be adjudged guilty of contempt. (h) Form of order. Whenever the court on a motion for summary judgment, disposes of one or more but fewer than all claims, involving one or more parties, the order entered must specifically set forth the claim or claims disposed of, and with respect to each such claim, the party or parties in whose favor the disposition is made and the party or parties against whom the disposition is made.Haw. Dis. Ct. R. Civ. P. 56
Amended July 29, 1997, effective 9/1/1997.COMMENTS:
Adopts HRCP Rule 56(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) and (g) with changes to gender neutral language. Adopts HRCP Rule 56(h) which has no counterpart in DCRCP Rule 56. With advent of more complex litigation in District Court, particularly the commercial summary possession cases, HRCP Rule 56(h) may be needed.
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