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).

  1. Delaware Courts
  2. Administrative Office of the Courts
  3. Operating Procedures

Operating Procedures


Administration


  1. Administration

  1. Administrative Authority:

    1. Chief Justice: The Chief Justice is the administrative head of the Judicial Branch of the State of Delaware with general administrative and supervisory powers over the Courts.Del. Const. art. IV, § 13. The Chief Justice, or a designee, shall be the official spokesperson for the Judicial Branch with the other branches of government.
    2. Administration of the Supreme Court: Rules pertaining to the administration of justice or the conduct of the business of the Courts may be adopted by the Chief Justice, upon the approval of a majority of the Justices of the Supreme Court. Del. Const. art. IV, § 13(1).
    3. Other Courts' Procedural Rules: Other Courts may adopt rules of pleading practice or procedure in their courts, subject to the approval of a majority of the Justices of the Supreme Court. Del. Const. art. IV, § 13(1).
    4. Other Courts' Administrative Directives or Orders: Other Courts may implement administrative directives or orders consistent with the provisions of the Operating Procedures for the Delaware Judicial Branch and law.

  2. Judicial Conference:

    1. Composition: The Judicial Conference shall be composed of the judges of the Supreme Court, the Court of Chancery, the Superior Court, the Family Court, the Court of Common Pleas, and the Chief Magistrate of the Justice of the Peace Court. When a meeting of the Judicial Conference is called, the Chief Justice may require attendance of other judicial officers, including Commissioners, Masters and Justices of the Peace. The Chief Justice or, in the event of the Chief Justice's absence, incapacity, or a vacancy in the office of the Chief Justice, the next senior justice who is qualified and available to act shall be the presiding officer of the Conference.
    2. Purpose: The purpose of the Judicial Conference is to address issues at the request of the Chief Justice or of the Supreme Court, including judicial education or matters pertaining to the improvement of the administration of justice.
    3. Meetings: The Judicial Conference shall meet as determined by the Chief Justice to be appropriate. Members shall attend meetings, unless excused by the Chief Justice.

  3. Committee of Presiding Judges:

    1. Composition of the Committee: The Committee of Presiding Judges shall be composed of the Presiding Judge of each Court. The Chief Justice may invite other Judicial Officers or judicial staff, to participate in the Committee, as is deemed helpful to the Committee.
    2. Purpose: The purpose of the Committee of Presiding Judges is to help the Chief Justice address issues of importance to the Judiciary and in the development of branch-wide policies, including policies related to technology, budget, personnel, security, and facilities.
    3. Meetings: Meetings shall be called on an as-needed basis. An agenda shall be circulated before the meeting at the discretion of the Chief Justice.
    4. Council of Court Administrators:
      1. Composition: The Council of Court Administrators shall consist of the Court Administrator from each Court and the State Court Administrator. The State Court Administrator shall be the Chair of the Council. The State Court Administrator may invite others to participate in the Council, as is deemed helpful to the Council.
      2. Purpose: The purpose of the Council is to provide staff assistance and advice to the Committee of Presiding Judges and to address issues of importance to the Judiciary, at the request of the Chief Justice or the State Court Administrator, including branch-wide administrative policies.
      3. Meetings: The Council shall meet at the discretion of the Chair. Members of the Council shall attend each meeting, except that if the personal attendance of a member is not feasible, a designee may be substituted.

  4. Committees, Boards and Task Forces:

    The Chief Justice may establish committees, boards, or task forces on an as-needed basis to discuss issues of concern to the Judiciary, the Justice system, or the administration of justice. The Administrative Office of the Courts shall provide administrative support upon request. A current list, with web addresses that provide information about the purpose and function of each, is attached as Addendum 1.

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