  Wilmington Office1310 King Street Box 1328 Wilmington, DE 19899 Tel: 302.888.6500 Fax: 302.658.8111 Contact/Directions Dover Office |
Delaware Court Information State Courts Federal Courts
The Delaware Supreme Court is the state's highest court, with final appellate jurisdiction in certain criminal and most civil appeals from the Court of Chancery and the Superior Court. Although the Court maintains offices in Wilmington and Georgetown, cases are typically heard at the Supreme Court Building located on The Green in Dover. The Court consists of a chief justice and four justices who are appointed by the governor to terms of 12 years. Prior to his appointment to the bench, current Chief Justice Myron Steele was a Prickett, Jones director. Filings with the Court are made electronically. Filings may be viewed and downloaded from the Lexis Nexis File and Serve system. A Lexis Nexis File and Serve account is required.
The Delaware Court of Chancery is widely recognized as the United States’ preeminent forum for resolving disputes involving corporations and other business entities. The Court has jurisdiction over matters arising in equity as well as statutory jurisdiction in a variety of other matters. The Court of Chancery's judicial officers include the Chancellor and four Vice Chancellors, who are appointed by the Governor to serve terms of twelve years. The Court also has two Masters in Chancery who assist the Chancellor and Vice Chancellors on an as-needed basis. Current Master Sam Glasscock, III practiced with Prickett, Jones prior to his appointment to the Court. There are no trials by jury in the Court of Chancery, and all matters are heard by either the Chancellor, a Vice Chancellor or, in some cases, a Master in Chancery. The Court sits in each of Delaware's three counties, and although the majority of cases are filed in New Castle County, the Court has statewide jurisdiction and may schedule hearings and trials in any one of the counties as the Court's schedule permits. For more information on the history of the Court of Chancery, click here to access an article co-authored by Prickett, Jones director Michael Hanrahan that is available on the Court of Chancery's web site. The clerk of the Court of Chancery is known as the Register in Chancery. Filings with the Court of Chancery are made electronically and may be viewed and downloaded from the Lexis Nexis File and Serve system. A Lexis Nexis File and Serve account is required.
The Delaware Superior Court is the state's primary trial court of general jurisdiction over matters arising at law. The Court sits in each of Delaware's three counties and has statewide jurisdiction. The Superior Court has jurisdiction over most criminal cases and general civil matters, including all civil disputes at law where the amount in controversy exceeds $50,000. The Court has approximately 20 judges who hear both civil and criminal matters. Several current Superior Court judges were Prickett, Jones directors prior to receiving their appointments to the bench, including Judge Susan C. Del Pesco and Kent County Resident Judge William L. Witham Jr. The Delaware Superior Court also serves as an intermediate appellate court, hearing appeals on the record from the Court of Common Pleas, Family Court, and many state administrative agencies. The clerk of the Superior Court is known as the Prothonotary. Filings with the Superior Court are made electronically and may be viewed and downloaded from the Lexis Nexis File and Serve system. A Lexis Nexis File and Serve account is required.
U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware The United States District Court for the District of Delaware, located in Wilmington, has statewide jurisdiction. The Court's judicial officers include three judges, as well as a magistrate judge who conducts mediations and performs such other tasks as are assigned by the Court. Filings with the Delaware District Court are made electronically through its CM/ECF filing system. Filings may be viewed and downloaded from the Delaware WebPACER system. A CM/ECF Filer or PACER account is required. Under the District of Delaware’s Local Rules, all filings that are required to be signed by an attorney must be signed by an attorney who is a member of the bar of the state of Delaware
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has jurisdiction over bankruptcy matters arising in the state. The Court, which sits in Wilmington, has seven judges and has traditionally been one of the most active jurisdictions for bankruptcy filings in the country, due in part to the large number of corporations and other business entities formed in Delaware. The Court occupies several floors of the building at 824 North Market Street, which is across King Street from the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building. Filings with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware are made electronically through its CM/ECF filing system. Filings may be viewed and downloaded from the Court's WebPACER system. A CM/ECF Filer or PACER account is required.
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