Rule 11.Signing of Pleadings, Motions and Other Documents; Sanctions.
Current through July 1, 2026 · Last verified September 11, 2026
In one sentenceRule 11 requires a signature on every filing and makes that signature a certificate that the document is grounded in fact, warranted by law and not filed to harass.
Full Text of Rule 11
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Every pleading, motion, and other document 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, telephone number, facsimile number (if any), and electronic mail address shall be stated. Any document prepared by an attorney for a self-represented 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 document and state the party’s address, telephone number, facsimile number (if any), and electronic mail address (if any). Documents electronically filed by JEFS Users shall be signed as provided in Rule 5 of the Hawaiʻi Electronic Filing and Service Rules using “/s/” followed by the typed name of the JEFS User. However, proposed judgments, decrees, and orders which are filed electronically shall only be signed in this manner by the JEFS User who is actually electronically filing the proposed judgment, decree, or order. All other signatures on the proposed judgment, decree, or order shall be an original handwritten signature. Documents which are conventionally filed by non-JEFS Users shall contain handwritten signatures. 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 document; 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 document 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 document 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 document, including a reasonable attorney’s fee.
End
Amendment History
(Amended September 17, 2019, effective September 17, 2019; further amended March 30, 2022, effective April 25, 2022.)
Plain-English Summary
A represented party filing goes out over the signature of at least one attorney of record, in that attorney own name, with address, telephone number, facsimile number if any, and email. A self-represented party signs and gives the same details. Electronic filers sign with a forward slash, an s, another forward slash and their typed name, under Rule 5 of the Electronic Filing and Service Rules.
Proposed judgments, decrees and orders are the exception. Only the person who files one may sign it that way; every other signature on a proposed judgment must be an original handwritten signature. Conventional filings are signed by hand, and the signer name is typed or block-printed below.
The signature carries meaning. It certifies that the signer read the document and that, after reasonable inquiry, it is well grounded in fact, warranted by existing law or a good faith argument to extend, modify or reverse it, and not interposed for an improper purpose such as harassment, delay or needless expense.
An unsigned document is stricken unless signed promptly once the omission is pointed out. A document signed in violation of the rule draws a mandatory sanction: the court shall impose an appropriate one on the signer, the represented party or both, which may include the other side reasonable expenses and a reasonable attorney fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does signing a Hawaii family court filing certify?
That the signer read it and that, after reasonable inquiry, it is well grounded in fact, warranted by existing law or a good faith argument to change it, and not filed for an improper purpose.
How are electronic filings signed?
With /s/ followed by the typed name of the JEFS user, under Rule 5 of the Hawaii Electronic Filing and Service Rules.
Can a proposed order be signed electronically?
Only by the JEFS user who files it. Every other signature on a proposed judgment, decree or order must be an original handwritten signature.
What happens if a filing is not signed?
It is stricken, unless signed promptly after the omission is called to the attention of the pleader or movant.
Are sanctions discretionary under Rule 11?
No. Where a document is signed in violation of the rule, the court shall impose an appropriate sanction, which may include the other side reasonable expenses and attorney fee.
Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Hawaii Family Court Rules (Haw. Fam. Ct. R. 11). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Hawaii. The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified September 11, 2026. ·
Official source
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