Rules of the Delaware State Courts

Court Rules

Supreme Court

Supreme Court Rules* Current as of July 6, 2021

11-29-2021 Order Establishing an "Ability to Pay" Task Force New
11-04-2021 In Re: Board of Bar Examiners of the Delaware Supreme Court Rule 51 New
Announcement to Board of Bar Examiners Rule 51
10-20-2021 In Re 2021 Administration of the Delaware Bar Examination: Order Modifying Board of Bar Examiners Rule 13
10-07-2021 In Re Delaware Rules for Continuing Education
08-11-2021 In Re Additional COVID-19 Precautionary Measures
Delaware Judicial Branch COVID-19 Temporary Testing Policy and Procedures, effective September 29, 2021
Press Release regarding Administrative Order: Delaware Courts to restore mask mandate on Monday, August 16, 2021 to combat the COVID-19 Delta variant
07-21-2021 In Re Committee to Examine Amendment of the Supreme Court Rules to Permit Non-Attorney Representation of Tenants in Residential Eviction Proceedings
06-29-2021 Administrative Order No. 22—Extension of Judicial Emergency
Press Release regarding Administrative Order No. 22
06-14-2021 Order Amending Rules 7, 9, 20, 26, 26.1, and 93 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Delaware
Announcement Regarding Delaware Supreme Court Rules 7, 9, 20, 26, 26.1, and 93
05-26-2021 Administrative Order No. 21—Extension of Judicial Emergency
05-20-2021 Administrative Order No. 20—Modification of Administrative Orders Regarding the Use of Face Masks or Coverings in Court Facilities
05-13-2021 In Re Delaware Domestic Violence Bail Review Task Force
04-30-2021 Administrative Order No. 19—Extension of Judicial Emergency
03-19-2021 In Re Modification of the Requirements Under Supreme Court Rule 52(a)(8)
12-07-2020 Order Establishing a Committee to Review the Prohibition on Personal Electronic Devices Inside State Courthouses
11-16-2020 Administrative Order No. 13—Return To Phase 2 of the Reopening Plan
09-05-2020 Administrative Order No. 10—Extension of Judicial Emergency Exhibit 1—Jury Management Plan
08-12-2020 August 12, 2020 Order Regarding Certified Limited Practice Privilege for 2020 Delaware Bar Applicants
Announcement regarding Delaware Supreme Court adopting limited practice privilege for 2020 Bar Applicants
06-12-2020 IN RE COVID-19 Precautionary MeasuresPDF opens in new window
06-05-2020 IN RE Modification of the Requirements Under Supreme Court Rule 52(a)(8) PDF opens in new window
06-05-2020 In Re COVID-19 Precautionary Measures—Paper Copies Required Beginning July 1, 2020 PDF opens in new window
06-05-2020 Administrative Order No. 7—Extension of Judicial Emergency PDF opens in new window
06-01-2020 Administrative Directive No. 188 regarding Supreme Court Rule 64(e) PDF opens in new window
04-06-2020 Order regarding Delaware Rules for Continuing Education easing certain CLE rules during the COVID emergency
03-22-2020 Administrative Order 3—Restricted Operations and Suspension of Deadlines
03-14-2020 Order Declaring a Judicial Emergency

Court of Chancery

Court of Chancery Rules Current as of January 15, 2021

11-15-2021 Standing Order No. 8 , effective November 15, 2021 New
10-18-2021 Order Adopting Rule 132-A and Rule 132 Amendment , redline version , effective December 1, 2021 New
09-20-2021 Standing Order No. 7
07-12-2021 Standing Order No. 6
01-15-2021 Announcement regarding Amendments to Court of Chancery Rules 79, 89, 114, 176 and 180-B , effective January 29, 2021
Amendment to Court of Chancery Rules 79, 89, 114, 176 and 180-B , redline version
05-14-2020 Standing Order No. 5, Extension of Standing Order No. 4 Concerning COVID-19 Precautionary Measures
04-15-2020 Standing Order No. 4, Extension of Standing Order No. 2 Concerning COVID-19 Precautionary Measures
04-06-2020 Updated Standing Order (No. 3) Concerning COVID-19 Precautionary Measures
03-16-2020 Standing Order No. 2 Concerning COVID-19 Precautionary Measures
03-06-2020 Standing Order Concerning COVID-19 Precautionary Measures

Superior Court

Rules of Civil Procedure, Superior Court of Delaware* 2016

06-27-2019 Order Amending Rules 1, 26(b)(1) and (c), 34(b) and 37(a)(2) of the Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure AND Order Adopting Rules 34(d) and 37(b)(2)(F) of the Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure, effective August 1, 2019
08-10-2018 Order Amending Rule 77(h) of the Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure, effective August 15, 2018
Announcement Regarding Order Amending Rule 77(h) of the Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure
12-07-2017 Order Adopting a New Rule 16.1 of the Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure, effective January 1, 2018
06-28-2017 Order Amending Rule 107 (b) and (h) of the Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure and Order Adopting Rule 107(j) and Form 48 of the Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure, effective July 15, 2017
06-11-2016 Order Amending Civil Rule 72(c),(d) of the Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure
10-01-2015 Order Amending Rules 26, 77 and 107 of the Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure

Rules of Criminal Procedure, Superior Court of Delaware* 2016

Rules of Special Procedure, Superior Court of Delaware2017

04-23-2017 Administrative Directive 2017-5 - Relating to the Modification of Sentences for Habitual Criminal Offenders (Amending Special Rule 2017-1)

02-10-2017 Administrative Directive 2017-2 - Special Rule of Procedure for the Modification of Sentence for Habitual Criminal Offenders

Interim Special Rule of Criminal Procedure for Pretrial Release2019

Family Court

Family Court Civil Rules* 2016

10-20-2021 Order Amending Rules 4, 221, and 501 of the Family Court Rules of Civil Procedure, effective January 1, 2022 New
Announcement regarding Amendments to Rules 4, 221, and 501 of the Family Court Rules of Civil Procedure
09-22-2021 Order Amending Rules 5, 53.1, 77, 86, 87.2, 90.1, 101, 104.1, 104.2, AND 112 of the Family Court Rules of Civil Procedure, effective December 1, 2021 New
Announcement regarding Amendments to Rules 5, 53.1, 77, 86, 87.2, 90.1, 101, 104.1, 104.2, AND 112 v
07-10-2020 Order Amending Rules 41, 64, 65, 65.2, 67, 69, 70 and 50 of the Family Court Rules of Civil Procedure , effective November 1, 2020
Announcement regarding Amendments to Rules 41, 64, 65, 65.2, 67, 69, 70 and 500 of the Family Court Rules of Civil Procedure
06-30-2020 Standing Order #3 Regarding Civil Filing By Email During and After the COVID-19 State of Emergency
06-14-2020 Order Amending Rule 65.2 and 225 to the Family Court Rules of Civil Procedure , effective September 1, 2020
Announcement regarding Amendments to Rules 65.2 and 225 of the Family Court Rules of Civil Procedure
06-14-2020 Order Amending Rules 19, 26, 30, 37, 40, 42.2, 45, 52, 53.1, 56, 59 AND 63 of the Family Court Rules of Civil Procedure , effective September 1, 2020
Announcement regarding the Order Amending Rules 19, 26, 30, 37, 40, 42.2, 45, 52, 53.1, 56, 59 AND 63 of the Family Court Rules of Civil Procedure
05-14-2020 Order Adding Rule 79.2 to the Family Court Rules of Civil Procedure , effective July 1, 2020
Announcement regarding the Addition of Rule 79.2 to the Family Court Rules of Civil Procedure
01-04-2019 Order Amending Rules 500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 506, 507, 508 and Adding Rules 509 and 510 of the Family Court Rules of Civil Procedure, effective February 1, 2019
Announcement regarding Amendments to Rules 500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 506, 507, 508 and Adding Rules 509 and 510 of the Family Court Rules of Civil Procedure
10-08-2018 Order Amending Rules 65.2, 107, 226 and 227 of the Family Court Rules of Civil Procedure, effective January 2, 2019
Announcement regarding Amendments to Rules 65.2, 107, 226 and 227 of the Family Court Rules of Civil Procedure
07-18-2018 Order Amending Rules 1-15, 17, and 302 of the Family Court Rules of Civil Procedure, effective December 1, 2018
Announcement regarding Amendments to Rules 1-15, 17, and 302 of the Family Court Rules of Civil Procedure
10-05-2017 Order Amending Rules 16 through 16.4, 36, 52, 101, 300 and 501 of the Family Court Rules of Civil Procedure, effective January 1, 2018
Announcement regarding Amendments to Rules 16 through 16.4, 36, 52, 101, 300 and 501 of the Family Court Rules of Civil Procedure
01-09-2017 Order Amending Rules 5, 72 & 302 of the Family Court Rules of Civil Procedure
Announcement regarding Amendments to Rules 5, 72, and 302 of the Family Court Rules of Civil Procedure

Family Court Criminal Rules* 2016

Court of Common Pleas

03-27-2020 Statement from the Court of Common Pleas Concerning Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 3

03-12-2020 Standing Order Concerning COVID-19 Precautionary Measures

Court of Common Pleas Civil Rules*

08-25-2020 Order Amending Rule 11 of the Court of Common Pleas Civil Rules, effective August 27, 2020
Announcement regarding Amendment to Court of Common Pleas Civil Rule 11
03-20-2018 Order Amending Rule 72.3 of the Court of Common Pleas Rules of Civil Procedure, effective May 1, 2018
Announcement regarding Amendments to Rule 72.3 of the Court of Common Pleas Rules of Civil Procedure
01-01-2016 Order Amending Rule 109 of the Court of Common Pleas Rules of Civil Procedure
02-01-2016 Order Amending Rule 90.1 of the Court of Common Pleas Rules of Civil Procedure

Court of Common Pleas Criminal Rules*

Court of Common Pleas Bail Rules of Conduct 2015

Currently, there are no amendments.

Justice of the Peace Court

07-15-2021 Standing Order No. 7 Concerning Lifting of the COVID-19 Judicial Emergency New
12-14-2020 Standing Order No. 6 Concerning COVID-19 Precautionary Measures and Scheduling of Cases
09-11-2020 Administrative Order 2020-1—In Re: Procedures for Landlord/Tenant Matters
07-08-2020 Standing Order No. 5 Concerning COVID-19 Precautionary Measures and Scheduling of Cases
06-03-2020 Standing Order No. 4 Concerning COVID-19 Precautionary Measures
04-23-2020 Standing Order No. 3 Concerning COVID-19 Precautionary Measures
03-27-2020 Standing Order No. 2 Concerning COVID-19 Precautionary Measures
03-13-2020 Standing Order Concerning COVID-19 Precautionary Measures

Justice of the Peace Court Civil Rules effective June 15, 2000

05-18-2021 Order Amending Justice of the Peace Court Civil Rule 4(b)
05-18-2021 Order Amending Justice of the Peace Court Civil Rule 13
12-13-2018 Order Establishing Justice of the Peace Court Civil Rule 79.2, effective January 1, 2019
08-15-2018 Order Amending Justice of the Peace Court Civil Rule 77(h)(3)
03-15-2018 Order Amending Justice of the Peace Court Civil Rule 60 (c)(a), effective March 15, 2018
01-01-2016 Order Amending Justice of the Peace Court Civil Rule 79.1(d)

Justice of the Peace Court Civil Violations Rules

Currently, there are no amendments.

Justice of the Peace Court Criminal Rules

05-18-2021 Order Amending Justice of the Peace Court Criminal Rule 5(a)

Interim Special Rule of Criminal Procedure for Pretrial Release

Interim Special Rule of Criminal Procedure for Pretrial Release
12-17-2018 In Re Implementation of the Bail Reform Act
Announcement Regarding Interim Special Rule of Criminal Procedure for Pretrial Release Orders

Court Administrative Procedures

Arms of the Court and Other Rules

Board of Bar Examiners

Board of Bar Examiners Rules of the Delaware Supreme Court

Board on Professional Responsibility

Delaware Lawyers' Rules of Disciplinary Procedure effective January 1, 2020

Currently, there are no amendments.

Rules of the Unauthorized Practice of Law Subcommittee of the Board on Professional Responsibility

Rules of the Unauthorized Practice of Law Subcommittee of the Board on Professional Responsibility effective January 1, 2020

Currently, there are no amendments.

Commission on Continuing Legal Education of the Delaware Supreme Court

Revised Delaware Rules for Continuing Legal Education effective January 1, 2016
Delaware Rules for Continuing Legal Education effective through December 31, 2015

11-08-2017 Order Amending Rule 4(E) of the Commission on Continuing Legal Education
Announcement regarding Amending Rule 4(E) of the Rules of the Commission on Continuing Legal Education

06-14-2016 Order Amending Rule 2(H) of the Commission on Continuing Legal Education
Announcement regarding the Revised Rules of the Commission on Continuing Legal Education

Commission on Law and Technology

Rules of the Commission of Law and Technology

Currently, there are no amendments.

Court on the Judiciary

Court on the Judiciary Rules Current as of March 6, 2018

Currently, there are no amendments.

Delaware Lawyers' Rules of Professional Conduct

Delaware Lawyers' Rules of Professional Conduct with commentseffective January 1, 2020

Currently, there are no amendments.

Delaware Rapid Arbitration Rules

06-22-2015 Order Adopting Delaware Rapid Arbitration Rules, Delaware Supreme Court Adopts Delaware Rapid Arbitration Rules

Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection

Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection Rules

Currently, there are no amendments.

Principles of Professionalism

Principles of Professionalism for Delaware Judges

Currently, there are no amendments.

Principles of Professionalism for Delaware Lawyers

Currently, there are no amendments.

General Resources

Delaware Code - Online site maintained by the State of Delaware
Delaware Judges Code of Judicial Conduct*
Delaware's Judicial Guidelines for Civil Hearings Involving Self-Represented Litigants
Delaware Uniform Rules of Evidence

*Online version courtesy of LexisNexis.

Supreme Court

Supreme Court Rules* Current as of July 6, 2021

Court of Chancery

Court of Chancery Rules Current as of January 15, 2021

Superior Court

Rules of Civil Procedure, Superior Court of Delaware* 2016

Rules of Criminal Procedure, Superior Court of Delaware* 2016

Rules of Special Procedure, Superior Court of Delaware2017

Interim Special Rule of Criminal Procedure for Pretrial Release2019

Family Court

Family Court Civil Rules* 2016

Family Court Criminal Rules* 2016

Court of Common Pleas

Court of Common Pleas Civil Rules*

Court of Common Pleas Criminal Rules*

Justice of the Peace Court

Justice of the Peace Court Civil Rules effective June 15, 2000

Interim Special Rule of Criminal Procedure for Pretrial Release

Court Administrative Procedures

Board of Bar Examiners

Board on Professional Responsibility

Delaware Lawyers' Rules of Disciplinary Procedure effective January 1, 2020

Rules of the Unauthorized Practice of Law Subcommittee of the Board on Professional Responsibility

Rules of the Unauthorized Practice of Law Subcommittee of the Board on Professional Responsibility effective January 1, 2020

Commission on Continuing Legal Education of the Delaware Supreme Court

Revised Delaware Rules for Continuing Legal Education effective January 1, 2016 Delaware Rules for Continuing Legal Education effective through December 31, 2015

Commission on Law and Technology

Court on the Judiciary

Court on the Judiciary Rules Current as of March 6, 2018

Delaware Lawyers' Rules of Professional Conduct

Delaware Lawyers' Rules of Professional Conduct with commentseffective January 1, 2020

Delaware Rapid Arbitration Rules

Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection

Principles of Professionalism

General Resources

Courts

Courts

Help

Information

Revised Delaware Rules for Continuing Legal Education effective January 1, 2016
Delaware Rules for Continuing Legal Education effective through December 31, 2015