657-1 Six years
657-1.5 Limitation of actions not applicable to State
657-1.8 Civil action arising from sexual offenses; application; certificate of merit
657-2 Mutual current account
657-3 Counterclaim
657-3.5 Relation back of amendments
657-4 Two years; libel and slander
657-5 Domestic judgments and decrees
657-5.5 Judgments for support
657-6 Four years; causes arising in foreign jurisdiction, etc.
657-7 Damage to persons or property
657-7.3 Medical torts; limitation of actions; time
657-7.5 Third-party defendants, time in which plaintiff may amend
657-8 Limitation of action for damages based on construction to improve real property
657-9 Action barred in foreign jurisdiction
657-10 Special limitations
657-11 Recoveries authorized by federal statute
657-12 Repealed
657-13 Infancy, insanity, imprisonment
657-14 Disability to exist at accrual of action
657-15 Two or more disabilities
657-16, 17 Repealed
657-18 Extension by absence from State
657-19 Extension by injunction
657-20 Extension by fraudulent concealment
657-21 Extension by keeping defendant in ignorance
657-21.5 Extension by sentencing of criminal defendant
657-22 When process not commencement
657-23 Extension while criminal case is pending
657-24 Periodic payments of damages

Terms Used In Hawaii Revised Statutes > Chapter 657 > Part I - Personal Actions

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Allegation: something that someone says happened.
  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Counterclaim: A claim that a defendant makes against a plaintiff.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
  • Statute of limitations: A law that sets the time within which parties must take action to enforce their rights.
  • Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.
  • Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.