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HRS §671D-12

When a defendant can get attorney's fees

If someone sues you and you win, you may get your court costs and attorney's fees paid if the lawsuit was frivolous, unreasonable, without foundation, or brought in bad faith. But you don't get fees if the other side wins any money or a permanent court order.

courts

The statute, as written — Attorney's fees

(a) In any suit brought against a defendant, to the extent that a defendant has met the standards set forth under section 671D-11(a) and the defendant substantially prevails, the court, at the conclusion of the action, shall award to a substantially prevailing party defending against any such claim the cost of the suit attributable to such claim, including a reasonable attorney's fee, if the claim, or the claimant's conduct during the litigation of the claim, was frivolous, unreasonable, without foundation, or in bad faith. (b) For the purposes of this section, a defendant shall not be considered to have substantially prevailed when the plaintiff obtains an award for damages, or permanent injunctive or declaratory relief.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§671D-11 Rules for fair professional review actions

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