Haw. Fam. Ct. R. 11

As amended through September 30, 2024
Rule 11 - Signing of Pleadings, Motions and Other Papers; Sanctions

Every pleading, motion, and other paper of a party represented by an attorney shall be signed by at least one attorney of record in the attorney's individual name, whose address shall be stated. Any document prepared by an attorney for an unrepresented party shall comply with Rule 11.1(c) of these Rules. A party who is not represented by an attorney shall sign the party's pleading, motion, or other paper and state the party's address. The name of the person signing the document shall be typed or hand-printed in block letters directly below the signature. Except when otherwise specifically provided by rule or statute, pleadings need not be verified or accompanied by affidavit or declaration. The rule in equity that the averments of an answer under oath must be overcome by the testimony of 2 witnesses or of one witness sustained by corroborating circumstances is abolished. The signature of an attorney or party constitutes a certificate by the signer that the signer has read the pleading, motion, or other paper; that to the best of the signer's knowledge, information, and belief formed after reasonable inquiry it is well grounded in fact and is warranted by existing law or a good faith argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law, and that it is not interposed for any improper purpose, such as to harass or to cause unnecessary delay or needless increase in the cost of litigation. If a pleading, motion, or other paper is not signed, it shall be stricken unless it is signed promptly after the omission is called to the attention of the pleader or movant. If a pleading, motion, or other paper is signed in violation of this rule, the court, upon motion or upon its own initiative, shall impose upon the person who signed it, a represented party, or both, an appropriate sanction, which may include an order to pay to the other party or parties the amount of the reasonable expenses incurred because of the filing of the pleading, motion, or other paper, including a reasonable attorney's fee.

Haw. Fam. Ct. R. 11

Amended July 1, 1982, effective 7/1/1982; further amended October 11, 1999, effective 1/1/2000; further amended November 20, 2014, effective 1/1/2015; further amended September 17, 2019, effective 9/17/2019.