FILING PROCEDURE BY THE CLERK

(a) Case number . Upon the filing of the initial pleading or other documents, and before the issuance of process, the clerk shall assign a number to such proceeding. All subsequent pleadings and documents to be filed shall bear the number assigned to the initial documents, which shall appear on the first page. (b) Stamp by clerk . For conventionally filed documents, the clerk shall promptly stamp the time and date upon all documents filed. ( c) Docket entry and filing . Upon the filing of any document, an appropriate entry shall be made in a docket sheet kept for each case. A "docket sheet" may be an electronic record within a court maintained computer. (d) Service of pleadings and other documents. (1) Filing: Original kept on file; copies for service. For conventionally filed documents and subject to subsection (2) of this subsection (d) pertaining to questions and other discovery documents, when a pleading or other document requiring service is presented for filing, the original shall be accompanied with a sufficient number of copies for service. The original shall be kept on file by the clerk. For conventionally filed documents and those parties not registered with the JEFS, service may be made with the certified copy or copies of the documents together with the certified copy or copies of the summons, and the serving officer shall make proof of service to the court promptly by returning the original summons to the clerk. (2) Service and filing of questions and other discovery documents . Unless otherwise provided by the Hawai‘i Electronic Filing and Service Rules, the filing of questions and other discovery documents shall be governed by Rule 5 of the District Court Rules of Civil Procedure. If conventionally served, a party seeking admissions or answers to questions shall serve 2 copies of the request for admissions or questions upon the party from whom the admission of answers are sought. (e) Signatures. Any order or judgment that is filed electronically bearing a facsimile signature in lieu of an original signature of a judge or clerk has the same force and effect as if the judge or clerk had affixed the judge’s or clerk’s signature to a paper copy of the order or judgment and it had been entered on the docket in a conventional manner. For purposes of this rule and any rules of court, the facsimile signature may be either an image of a handwritten signature or the software printed name of the judge preceded by /s/. (f) Place of filing; assignment to division . Except as provided by the Hawai‘i Electronic Filing and Service Rules, pleadings and documents for filing shall be presented to the office of the clerk. The clerk shall furnish certified copies of all documents filed if so requested at the time of filing. The administrative judge may designate the division to which a case or class of cases may be assigned. (g) Electronic filing of documents submitted on paper; filing date and time preserved. Pursuant to Rule 2.5 of the Hawai‘i Electronic Filing and Service Rules, the clerk shall electronically file any paper document submitted to the clerk. The receipt date and time reflected on the conventionally filed document and subsequently filed in JIMS shall be deemed the filing date for all purposes under any of the Hawai‘i Rules of Court. Once electronically filed, the clerk shall not retain the paper document. (Amended March 16, 1984, partly effective March 16, 1984, effective May 1, 1984; further amended February 8, 1996, effective April 1, 1996; further amended December 6, 1996, effective December 6, 1996; further amended June 2, 2005, effective July 1, 2005; further amended December 21, 2009, effective nunc pro tunc, July 1, 2005; further amended February 22, 2010, effective February 22, 2010; further amended April 23, 2012, effective June 18, 2012.)