Hawai'i ranked near the bottom in a survey where attorneys were asked to rank all the states on their "lawsuit climates."

According to Lawsuit Climate 2008, Hawai'i got an overall score of 51.5 and ranked 45th on the list. That compares to a ranking of 42nd in 2007 and 46th in 2006.

The state's lowest ranking was for judges' competence, where it ranked 46th. And its best measure was for juries' predictability, with a ranking of 35th.

About 950 senior attorneys were surveyed by phone from Dec. 18 to March 19 by Harris Interactive Inc., on behalf of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform.