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HRS §662-12

Paying the lawyer when you win a claim against the state

If you win a lawsuit against the state under this chapter, the court or the attorney general can add reasonable lawyer fees to your award, but those fees cannot be more than 25% of the amount you recover. The fees come out of the money you win. Court-ordered sanctions for bad behavior are not counted in that 25% limit.

courtsstate agencies

The statute, as written — Attorney's fees

The court rendering a judgment for the plaintiff pursuant to this chapter or the attorney general making a disposition pursuant to section 662-11 may, as a part of such judgment, award, or settlement, determine and allow reasonable attorney's fees which shall not, however, exceed twenty-five per cent of the amount recovered and shall be payable out of the judgment awarded to the plaintiff; provided that such limitation shall not include attorney's fees and costs that the court may award the plaintiff as a matter of its sanctions.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§662-11 Settling claims against the state

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.