The Delaware State Courts will be closed Wednesday, December 25, 2024 for Christmas Day. Justice of the Peace Court 11 (New Castle County) and Court 7 (Kent County) will remain open 24 hours and Justice of the Peace Court 3 (Sussex County) will be open from 6AM – 12AM (no new cases after 11:00PM).

About Us


The Honorable Jan R. Jurden, President Judge


President Judge Jan R. Jurden

The Honorable Jan R. Jurden, a Delaware native, was appointed to the Superior Court of Delaware in May 2001 and elevated to President Judge of the Superior Court on January 13, 2015.

After serving three years in the United States Army overseas, Judge Jurden received her B.A. summa cum laude from Muhlenberg College in 1985 and her J.D. from Dickinson in 1988 where she was an Articles Editor of the law Review and a member of the Woolsack Honor Society.

Prior to joining the Court she practiced law with the law firm of Young, Conaway, Stargatt & Taylor from 1988 to May 2001 concentrating on corporate, commercial and personal injury litigation. During her 13 years at Young, Conaway, Judge Jurden litigated cases in the U.S. District Court, Delaware Supreme Court, Superior Court, Court of Chancery, Family Court, Court of Common Pleas, and Justice of the Peace Court.

Judge Jurden served on the Complex Commercial Litigation Panel, launched and presided over the Superior Court Mental Health Court, oversaw the Conflict Attorney Program, served as Criminal Administrative Judge, and presided over the Veterans' Treatment Court.

She is a member of the American Bar and the Delaware State Bar Associations, the National Association of Women Judges, and the American College of Business Court Judges. She is a member of the Randy J. Holland Inn of Court and the Terry-Carey Inn of Court, and a former member of the Richard S. Rodney Inn of Court. She serves on the Delaware Anti-TraffickingAction Council and formerly served as Vice-Chair of the Council. She also serves on the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council and the Criminal Justice Council.

Judge Jurden is a recipient of the Outstanding Service to the Courts and Bar Award, presented by the Delaware State Bar Association to a judge or lawyer who "by exemplary service to the Delaware Courts and the Delaware Bar has substantially assisted the Courts and the Bar and strengthened the public trust and confidence in the State's court system and the administration of justice."

Judge Jurden's present term ends January 13, 2027.