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The 1859 Civil Code, Chapter XXI, Section 1065 authorized the Supreme Court to examine and admit as practitioners in the courts of record, such persons, being Hawaiian subjects, of good moral character, and having then the prescribed oath of office, as said court may find qualified for that purpose.

Contains letters written by applicants addressed to the Chief Justice of the Hawaiian Supreme Court soliciting permission to practice law before the local circuit judge and the Police and District court justices on a particular island. In addition to the letters of application there may also be affidavits attesting to the good character of the applicant, recommendations from other attorneys and judges, and letters in support of the applicant from friends. Personal and professional information regarding the applicant may include age, education, names of associates and length of time spent in the practice of law. A license granted to the successful applicant is filed with the letters of application and supporting references. Unsuccessful applicant and supporting letters are in the file.

Oaths were issued by the Aha Hookolokolo Kiekie or the Supreme Court to the licensed attorney. Oaths are forms with the name of the practicing attorney, date of oath, jurisdiction of practice and signed by the attorney and Chief Justice.

The applications and oaths cover all circuits. Applications are dated 1870, 1876, 1878-1890, 1895-1898. Oaths are dated 1878-1881 and 1883.

Approximately 90% of the records are in Hawaiian. None have been translated.

Judges' letter books date from 1847 to 1916 and contain outgoing letters from the judges/justices to government officials, the Legislature, foreign consuls, and outlying missionary stations. Subjects of the letters include codification of laws, provisions of the constitution, District and Circuit courts appointments, trial preparation, and jury selection.

The subject files of the Chief Justice date from 1959 to 1967 and contain administrative records documenting appointments of district court judges and revisions of judicial policies and procedures, rules of court and rules of criminal procedure.

There is gap in the records from 1917 to 1958.