(a) Scope of rules. These Rules govern the procedure in the circuit courts of the State in all suits of a civil nature whether cognizable as cases at law or in equity, with the exceptions stated in Rule 81 of these Rules. They shall be construed and administered to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action.
Rule 1.Scope of Rules; Interpretation and Enforcement; Effect of Electronic Filing; Automation.
Last amended October 28, 2019 · Last verified July 3, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1 sets the scope of the civil rules, ties them to Hawaii's electronic filing rules, and directs every rule to be read to secure a just, speedy, and inexpensive result in each case.
Full Text of Rule 1
(b) Interpretation and enforcement of rules. These Rules shall be read and construed with reference to each other, the Hawai‘i Electronic Filing and Service Rules, the Hawai‘i Court Records Rules, and the Rules of the Circuit Courts of the State of Hawai‘i.
(c) Effect of Hawai‘i Electronic Filing and Service Rules. Documents filed and notices given in accordance with the Hawai‘i Electronic Filing and Service Rules shall be deemed to comply with the filing, mailing, certified mailing, notice and service requirements of any part of these Rules.
(d) Effect of automation on processes and procedures. Duties set out in these Rules may be performed by automation.
(e) Definitions. See Rule 1 of the Hawai‘i Electronic Filing and Service Rules for definitions.
Amendment History
Amended December 7, 1999, effective January 1, 2000
further amended October 31, 2019, effective nunc pro tunc October 28, 2019
Plain-English Summary
Rule 1 opens the rules by marking their territory: they run the procedure in Hawaii's circuit courts for every kind of civil case, whether it once would have been heard at law or in equity, subject only to the exceptions listed in Rule 81. The rule states its own purpose directly — every rule should be read and applied to reach a just, speedy, and inexpensive result in each case, not to create obstacles for their own sake.
The rest of Rule 1 ties the civil rules to the court's electronic systems. It requires the rules to be read alongside the Hawai‘i Electronic Filing and Service Rules, the Hawai‘i Court Records Rules, and the circuit court rules, and it confirms that a document filed or a notice given through the electronic filing rules satisfies whatever filing, mailing, or notice requirement these rules impose. It also allows automation to carry out duties the rules assign to a person, and it points to the electronic filing rules for defined terms used throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of cases does Rule 1 cover?
Rule 1 governs procedure in Hawaii's circuit courts for every civil suit, whether it would once have been treated as a case at law or a suit in equity, except for the matters Rule 81 excludes.
What is Rule 1's stated goal for how the rules should be applied?
The rule directs that every rule be read and applied to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of each action.
Does filing through Hawaii's electronic filing system satisfy the requirements of Rule 1?
Yes. Rule 1(c) says documents filed and notices given under the Hawai‘i Electronic Filing and Service Rules count as compliant with the filing, mailing, and notice requirements found anywhere in these rules.
Source & verification. The rule text and History are reproduced verbatim from the
official Hawaii Rules of Civil Procedure (Haw. R. Civ. P. 1). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Hawaii (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 602-11; Haw. Const. art. VI, § 7). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 3, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: scope of the rulesjust speedy and inexpensive determinationpurpose of the civil ruleselectronic filing effect on the rules