Opinion ID: 2614643
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: review by writ of mandamus

Text: A writ of mandamus and/or prohibition will not issue unless a petitioner demonstrates a clear and indisputable right to relief and a lack of other means to redress adequately the alleged wrong or obtain the requested action. Straub Clinic & Hospital v. Kochi, 81 Hawai`i 410, 414, 917 P.2d 1284, 1288 (1996). Mandamus relief is available to compel an official to perform a duty allegedly owed to an individual only if the individual's claim is clear and certain, the official's duty is ministerial and so plainly prescribed as to be free from doubt, and no other remedy is available. Azurin v. Von Raab, 803 F.2d 993 (9th Cir.1986), cert. denied, 483 U.S. 1021, 107 S.Ct. 3264, 97 L.Ed.2d 763 (1987). Barnett v. Broderick, 84 Hawai`i 109, 111, 929 P.2d 1359, 1361 (1996). The Office of Disciplinary Counsel and the Disciplinary Board are creatures of this court, created pursuant to the court's inherent and constitutional authority to regulate the practice of law. See Rule 2, Rules of the Supreme Court of the State of Hawai`i (Rule 2); In re Trask, 46 Haw. 404, 415, 380 P.2d 751, 758 (1963) (The power to regulate the admission and disbarment or disciplining of attorneys is judicial in nature and is inherent in the courts), and Article VI, § 7 Hawai`i Constitution (The supreme court shall have power to promulgate rules and regulations in all civil and criminal cases for all courts relating to process, practice, procedure and appeals, which shall have the force and effect of law). Under Rule 2, complaining witnesses are not parties to disciplinary cases and they have no standing under Rule 2 to seek review of ODC or Disciplinary Board decisions. [12] See RSCH 2.7(d); Cf. Akinaka v. Disciplinary Board, 91 Hawai`i 51, 979 P.2d 1077 (1999)(disciplinary complainant lacks standing to sue the Disciplinary Board and Disciplinary Counsel). Thus, if any review is to be had, review must be had by way of this petition for writ of mandamus.