§551-2  Guardian ad litem; next friend; appointment.  Nothing in this chapter impairs or affects the power of any court to appoint a guardian to defend the interests of any minor or person not in being impleaded in such court, or interested in any matter there pending, or its power to appoint or allow any person as next friend for a minor, to commence, prosecute, or defend any action or proceeding in the minor's behalf; provided that in all proceedings for annulment, divorce, or separation, except in the case of annulment on the ground of nonage, either spouse, although a minor, may sue or be sued in the minor's name without a guardian or next friend. [CC 1859, §1349; am L 1903, c 16, §2; RL 1925, §3070; RL 1935, §4857; RL 1945, §12507; am L 1947, c 78, §1; RL 1955, §338-8; HRS §551-2; am L 1972, c 145, §1(f); gen ch 1985]

Rules of Court

  Probate, see HPR rule 28.

Case Notes

  Power to appoint next friend or guardian ad litem is inherent in every court, including district courts.  11 H. 279, 281 (1898); 21 H. 160, 162 (1912); 23 H. 623, 624 (1917).  Purpose of this section was to make it clear that this power, already existing, was not taken away by provisions for appointment of guardians of person and estate.  11 H. 279, 280 (1898); 21 H. 160, 162 (1912); see 16 H. 13, 15 (1904).

  Appointment of guardian ad litem for minor not mandatory in adoption proceeding.  42 H. 250, 262 (1957).  But is mandatory in custody or support proceeding if parentage at issue.  See §571-47.

Minors.

  Under rule requiring sanction of court for issuance of process in suit instituted on behalf of minor, no formal order necessary.  8 H. 93 (1890); 11 H. 279, 281 (1898).  Same as to guardian ad litem for minor defendants.  21 H. 160 (1912); 34 H. 232, 235 (1937); 35 H. 682, 683 (1940).

Adult incompetents.

  Guardian ad litem, next friend, may be appointed for incompetent or weak-minded adult, but when alleged incapacity is denied issue raised must be determined before further steps can be taken in the suit.  23 H. 457, 475 (1916); 24 H. 82, 84 (1917); see 24 H. 558 (1918).

Duties and powers.

  No power to surrender substantial rights.  198 F. Supp. 78, 83 (1961); 28 H. 310, 328 (1925); 35 H. 262 (1939); 42 H. 586, 610 (1958); 46 H. 475, 521-530, 382 P.2d 920 (1963).  Duty to take appeal in proper case.  27 H. 132 (1923).  As to election of remedies, see 32 H. 928 (1933).

Compensation, expenses, right to.

  26 H. 623 (1922); 27 H. 132 (1923); 34 H. 854 (1939); 35 H. 262 (1939); 35 H. 682 (1940); 46 H. 475, 521-530, 382 P.2d 920 (1963); 47 H. 216, 385 P.2d 828 (1963).