What Is the Statute of Limitations for Legal Malpractice in Hawaii?
In Hawaii, the statute of limitations for legal malpractice is generally 6 years under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1(1).
Legal malpractice Deadlines in Hawaii
How long do you have to file a legal malpractice claim in Hawaii?
In Hawaii, the statute of limitations for legal malpractice is generally 6 years under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1(1).
When does the clock start for legal malpractice in Hawaii?
Six years, with accrual determined by the discovery rule.
Can the Hawaii deadline for legal malpractice be extended?
Hawaii is unusually generous here — most states give legal malpractice one to three years. The Supreme Court of Hawaii has settled both the governing clause and the discovery-based accrual.
Is the deadline different if the claim is against the government in Hawaii?
Often, yes. Generally 2 years; six-month county notice may apply under Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 662-4, 46-72. The State Tort Liability Act sets a two-year period in § 662-4. Section 46-72 requires written notice to a county within a short window — commonly reported as six months — for claims arising from county negligence, and § 657-1.5 provides that limitations of ac…
How does Hawaii compare to other states for legal malpractice?
Hawaii's 6 years is among the longest in the country. Across the 18 jurisdictions with a verified figure, the deadline for legal malpractice ranges from 1 year to 6 years, and 2 years is the most common. Compare all states →
What Does Legal Malpractice Cover?
Situations that typically fall under the legal malpractice deadline in Hawaii:
