NO. 30250


IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF HAWAI‘I



IN RE COLIN YEE,

Petitioner.


ORIGINAL PROCEEDING
ORDER DENYING PETITION
(By: Moon, C.J., Nakayama, Acoba, Duffy, and Recktenwald, JJ.)

By letter dated December 15, 2009, Colin Yee [hereinafter, Petitioner] seeks the Chief Justice's review or the Hawai‘i Supreme Court's opinion concerning his allegations that attorneys forged his name on a document he characterizes as "a subsequent and contrary trust." Petitioner disavows a writing that purports to be his signature and attempts to present evidence contesting its validity. Petitioner asserts he has submitted his evidence to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.

In light of Petitioner's requests, we consider Petitioner's letter as a petition for relief.

The Chief Justice may not advise Petitioner. See Article VI § 3 Hawai‘i Constitution ("No justice or judge shall, during the term of office, engage in the practice of  law . . ."), and the Hawai‘i Supreme Court has no jurisdiction, in the first instance, to decide the validity of signatures or documents. See HRS § 602-5. Consequently,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Clerk shall file Petitioner's letter as an original proceeding, without payment of costs or fees.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the petition is denied. This denial is without prejudice to any civil, criminal, or disciplinary proceedings that could derive from Petitioner Lee's allegations.

DATED: Honolulu, Hawai‘i, December 23, 2009.