Haw. Arb. R. 25

As amended through September 30, 2024

Rule 25 - The Prevailing Party in the Trial De Novo; Costs

(A) The "Prevailing Party" in a trial de novo is the party who (1) appealed and improved upon the arbitration award by 30% or more, or (2) did not appeal and the appealing party failed to improve upon the arbitration award by 30% or more. For the purpose of this rule, "improve" or "improved" means to increase the award for a plaintiff or to decrease the award for the defendant.

(B) The "Prevailing Party" under these rules, as defined above, is deemed the prevailing party under any statute or rule of court. As such, the prevailing party is entitled to costs of trial and all other remedies as provided by law, unless the Court otherwise directs.

Haw. Arb. R. 25

Amended November 3, 1994, November 14, 1994 and December 21, 1994, effective 2/1/1995; amended effective 7/1/1999.

COMMENTARY:

The July 1, 1999 amendment makes clear that the allowance of costs to the prevailing party is not mandatory. The amendment is intended to vest the trial court with discretion in awarding taxable costs to avoid inequitable results. In weighing the equities, the trial court may consider factors such as the nature of the case, the conduct of the parties throughout the litigation, including arbitration proceedings, the amount and timing of settlement offers made by the parties, the amount of the judgment, and other relevant factors.

For example, when a defendant appeals an Arbitration Award and the plaintiff obtains a judgment which is 30% less than the award, based on the circumstances and equities of the case, the court may award taxable costs to the plaintiff although the defendant would be considered the "prevailing party" under Section (A).

As another example, when a plaintiff appeals a "zero" Arbitration Award and obtains a "nominal" or "insignificant" judgment, based on the circumstances and equities of the case, the court may award taxable costs to the defendant although the plaintiff would be considered the "prevailing party" under Section (A). Whether a judgment is "nominal" or "insignificant" is left to the sound discretion of the court.