The Delaware State Courts will be closed on Tuesday, November 5th for Election 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 – 12PM (no new cases after 11:00PM).

Sussex County Courts including Justice of the Peace Court 2, 4, and 17 will be closing at noon on Thursday, November 7th for Return Day. JP Court 14 will be closed the entire day due to proximity to Return Day events.

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Governance


Administrative Directives, 1992 - present

Administrative Orders

Administrative Civil & Criminal Rules of Procedure

Administrative Civil & Criminal Plans

Administrative Civil & Criminal Jury Plans

Administrative Civil & Criminal Judges' Rotation Plan

Administrative Notices, Memos & Documents

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Administrative Directives   (Effective date in parentheses.)

2024
Administrative Directive 2024-2 Assignment of Judges (Complex Commerical Litigation) (01 Nov)
Administrative Directive 2024-1 Assignment of Judges (Civil and Criminal Administration) AMENDED (17 July)
Administrative Directive 2024-1 Assignment of Judges (Civil and Criminal Administration) (1 January)
2023
Administrative Directive 2023-4 Assignment of Judge (CCLD) (Amended) (1 September)
Administrative Directive 2023-4 Assignment of Judge (Complex Commercial Litigation) (1 September)
Administrative Directive 2023-1 (Amended) Assignment of Judges (12 May)
Administrative Directive 2023-3 Temporary Assignment of Judge (CCLD) (18 January)
Administrative Directive 2023-2 Assignment of Judge (Complex Commercial Litigation) (18 January)
Administrative Directive 2023-1 Assignment of Judges (18 January)
2022
Administrative Directive 2022-2 Assignment of Judge (Complex Commercial Litigation) (04 August)
Administrative Directive 2022-1 Assignment of Judges (1 January)
2021
Administrative Directive 2021-2 Bench and Bar Liaison Program(22 June)
Administrative Directive 2021-1 Assignment of Judges (1 January)
2020
Administrative Directive 2020-2 Bench and Bar Liaison Program (20 August)
Administrative Directive 2020-1 Assignment of Judges (1 January)
2019
Administrative Directive 2019-3 Mortgage Foreclosure Dormant Docket (5 November)
Administrative Directive 2019-2 Automatic Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program (5 November)

Administrative Directive 2019-1 - Assignment of Judges (1 January)
2018

Administrative Directive 2018-4 Delaware Superior Court Bench-Bar Liaison Program (18 June)
[Supersedes AD 2017-4]

Administrative Directive 2018-3 Assignment of Judge (Complex Commercial Litigation) (1 July)

Administrative Directive 2018-2 Employee Dress Code Policy (13 March)
[Supersedes AD 1996-4]

Administrative Directive 2018-1 Assignment of Judges (1 January)
2017
Administrative Directive 2017-6 Automatic Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program (17 August)
Administrative Directive 2017-5 Relating to the Modification of Sentences for Habitual Criminal Offenders (23 April)
[Amending Special Rule 2017-1]
Administrative Directive 2017-4 Delaware Superior Court Bench-Bar Program (07 March)
[Supersedes AD 2015-4]

Administrative Directive 2017-3 Mediation Training/Recertification (07 March)
[Supersedes AD 2009-2]

Administrative Directive 2017-2 - Special Rule of Procedure for the Modification of Sentence for Habitual Criminal Offenders (10 February)
Administrative Directive 2017-1 - Assignment of Judges (1 January)
2016
Administrative Directive 2016-3 Lifting of Temporary Stay of Pending Trials and/or Penalty Hearings in Capital First-Degree Murder Cases . (17 August) [Supersedes AD 2016-2]
Administrative Directive 2016-2 Temporary Stay of Pending Trials, Penalty Hearings, and Certain Applications in Capital First-Degree Murder Cases. (1 February) [Rescinded by AD 2016-3]
Administrative Directive 2016-1 Assignment of Judges. (1 January)
2015
No. 2015-7 Assignment of Judge (Complex Commercial Litigation). (30 November)
No. 2015-6 eFile Administrative Procedures (Technology Fee Increase). (1 January 2016)
No. 2015-5 County Caption Designation Change in Civil & Criminal Pleadings. (1 January 2016)
No. 2015-4 Delaware Superior Court Bench-Bar Program. (20 May) [Supersedes AD 2011-5]
No. 2015-3 Rescind Administrative Directive 2014-4 Consecutive/Concurrent Sentences. (27 March)
No. 2015-2 Assignment of Judges. (1 January)
No. 2015-1 Assignment of Judge (Complex Commercial Litigation). (1 January)
2014
No. 2014-3 Designation of Pre-Trial Supervision of Juvenile Defendant Criminal Cases. (23 July) [Supersedes AD 2000-2]
No. 2014-1 Assignment of Judges. (2 January)
2013
No. 2013-5 Administrative Procedures for Release From Custody. (1 January 2014)
No. 2013-4 Mortgage Foreclosure Dormant Docket. (10 October) [Supersedes AD 2008-3]
No. 2013-3 Assignment of Judges. Complex Commercial Litigation Division Panel. (1 May)
No. 2013-2 Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program. (28 May) [Revises & Replaces AD 2012-2]
2012
No. 2012-3 Designation of Cases Filed as Civil Miscellaneous for e-Filing. (1 May)
2011
No. 2011-5 Superior Court Bench-Bar Liaison Program. (2 June)
No. 2011-4 Civil Appeals Designated for Electronic Filing. (1 July)
2010
No. 2010-3 Complex Commercial Litigation Division.
No. 2010-2 Elimination of Paper Files for Matters Using LexisNexis E-File . ( 22 February)
2009
No. 2009-4 Designation of Judgment Cases for e-Filing. (1 January 2010)
No. 2009-2 Mediation Training. (13 August)
2007
No. 2007-6 E-file Administrative Procedures. (13 December.) [Supersedes Administrative Directive No. 2003-8]
No. 2007-5 Commissioners Powers. (6 December) [Supersedes Administrative Directive No. 2000-3]
No. 2007-4 Designation of Complaints, Mechanic's Liens & Mortgage Cases for e-Filing. (1 January 2008)
No. 2007-2 Designation of ADR Cases for e-Filing Pursuant to Superior Court Civil Rule 79.1. (1 April)
2006
No. 2006-2 Assignment of Civil and Criminal Cases in New Castle County. (1 January)
2005
No. 2005-4 Assignment of Judges. (21 September)
No. 2005-1 Administrative Procedures for Consolidation of Cases Under Senate Bill 50. (7 January)
2003
No. 2003-7 Designation of Certain Non-Arbitration Cases for eFiling. (12 August)
No. 2003-6 Procedures for Handling Applications to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. (17 July)
2001
No. 2001-2 Use of Internet and Other Electronic Communication Tools. (22 May)
No. 2001-1 Strategic Plan for Making Court's Record. (12 April)
2000
No. 2000-5 Policy on Public Access to Judicial Records. (3 April)
No. 2000-4 Superior Court Travel Expenses Policy. (18 February)
1998
No. 98-3 List of Capital Penalty Hearing Cases. (2 June)
No. 98-1 Policy and Complaint Procedure for Harassment. (20 January)
1997
No. 97-1 Confidentiality of Social Security Numbers. (12 February)
1996

No. 96-4 Employee Dress Code Policy. (4 October)
[Rescinded by AD 2018-2]

1995
No. 95-1 Individual Assignment of Civil and Appellate Calendars. (31 July)
No. [ ] Standard for Timely Disposition of Appellate Cases. (21 March)
1994
No. 94-7 General Procedures for Consideration of Petitions for Writs of Habeas Corpus. (5 December)
No. 94-4 Special Assignment of Retrials. (7 October)
1993
No. 93-2 Prohibition of Bias and Invidious Discrimination. (15 July)
No. 93-1 Electronic Filing of Dismissals (Nolle Prosequi) by the Attorney General. (15 July)
1992
No. 92-3 Disposition of Defendant Pending Level 4 Violation Hearing. (21 September)

Administrative Orders   (Effective date in parentheses.)

2024
Administrative Order 2024-4 IN RE: Preparation of Court Transcripts During Work Hours (Smartmatic v. Newsmax) (24 September 2024)
Administrative Order 2024-3 Strategic Plan for Making the Court's Record (27 June 2024) [Supersedes AO-2001]
Administrative Order 2024-2 Mortgage Foreclosures and Related Possessory Pleadings (29 January 2024)
Administrative Order 2024-1 Use of Personal Electronic Devices in Superior Court Courtrooms (26 January 2024)
2023
Administrative Order 2023-4 Assigning Commissioners to Handle SVPO Matters (Modified) (13 September 2023)
Administrative Order 2023-3 - Assigning Commissioners to Handle SVPO Matters (17 April 2023)
Administrative Order 2023-2 - Preparation of Court Transcripts During work hours (12 April 2023)
Administrative Order 2023-1 - Committee to Examine Pattern Criminal Jury Instructions (20 March 2023)
2022
Rescinding Amended Superior Court's Standing Order No. 8 (01 September 2022)
Amended Superior Court's Standing Order No. 8 - Unsworn Declarations (COVID-19) (04 January 2022) [Rescinded by SO 2022-2]
2021
Superior Court's Standing Order No. 8 - Unsworn Declarations (COVID-19) (06 October 2021)
Administrative Order 2021-1 Requiring the Filing of an Affidavit Regarding Mortgage Foreclosures and Related Possessory Pleadings (19 January 2021)
2020
Administrative Order 2020-1 [AMENDED] Affidavit In Support of Compliance with the Cares Act (20 August 2020) [Amending AO 2020-1]
Administrative Order 2020-1 Affidavit In Support of Compliance with the Cares Act (21 July 2020)
Superior Court Standing Order No. 7 - Coronavirus (COVID-19) (19 May 2020)
Superior Court Standing Order No. 6 - Coronavirus (COVID-19) (15 April 2020)
Amended Superior Court Standing Order No. 4 - Coronavirus (COVID-19) (14 April 2020)
Superior Court Standing Order No. 5 - Coronavirus (COVID-19) (03 April 2020)
Superior Court Standing Order No. 4 - Coronavirus (COVID-19) (30 March 2020)
Superior Court Standing Order No. 3 - Coronavirus (COVID-19) (18 March 2020)
Superior Court Standing Order No. 2 - Coronavirus (COVID-19) (15 March 2020)
Superior Court Standing Order No. 1 - Coronavirus (COVID-19) (10 March 2020)
Order Amending Special Rule of Criminal Procedure 2017-1 (01 February 2020)
2019
Administrative Order 2019-2 (16 September 2019)
Administrative Order 2019-1 (8 July 2019)
2018
Order Amending Rule 77(h) of the Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure (15 August 2018)
Order Adopting a New Rule 16.1 of the Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure (1 January 2018)
2017
Order Amending Special Rule of Criminal Procedure 2017-1 for Review of a Request to Modify a Habitual Offender Sentence (8 November)
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 (15 July)
Order Amending Rule 61 of the Superior Court Rules of Criminal Procedure (23 March)
2016
Order Amending Rule 32(g)(3) of the Superior Court Rules of Criminal Procedure (15 December)
Order Amending Civil Rule 72(c),(d) of the Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure (11 June)
2015
Order Amending Civil Rule 79.1(d) (1 January 2016)
Order Amending Rules 26, 77 and 107 of the Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure (1 October 2015)
Order Amending Rule 19 of the Superior Court Rules of Criminal Procedure (25 September 2015)
Order Amending Criminal Rule 61(e)(5) and (6) (1 June)
2014
Order Amending Criminal Rule 61 (4 June)
Order Adopting Revised Petit Jury Plan of the Superior Court (5 March)
Order Amending Criminal Rule 61(e)(1) Appointment of Counsel (1 February)
Order Adopting Criminal Rule 35A of Superior Court Rules of Criminal Procedure (6 January)
2013
New Castle County Asbestos Litigation Order-Assigned Judges (6 February)
2007
No. 2007-1 Court Security Assessment (1 December)
2000
Policy, Time Standards, and Procedures Relating to Civil Case Disposition (1 January)
Policy, Time Standards, and Procedures Relating to Criminal Case Disposition (1 January) [Supersedes 16 January 1991 Order]
1995
Standard for Timely Disposition of Appellate Cases (1 April)

Administrative Civil, Criminal and Special Procedure Rules

Civil Rules

Rules of Civil Procedure, Superior Court of Delaware (2016) * Online version courtesy of LEXIS Publishing.

Amendments to Civil Rules:


Criminal Rules

Rules of Criminal Procedure, Superior Court of Delaware (2016) * Online version courtesy of LEXIS Publishing.

Amendments to Criminal Rules:

Special Procedure Rule

Rule of Special Procedure, Superior Court of Delaware (2017)

Amendments to Special Procedure Rules:

Restitution Protocols

Restitution Protocols Documentation (2006)

Procedural Rules-Weapon Permits

Rule 11 Del. C. § 1441—Issuance & Renewal of Licenses to Carry Concealed Deadly Weapons


Administrative Plans

Civil Plans

Civil Case Management Plan-New Castle County

Civil Case Management Plan-Kent County

Civil Case Management Plan-Sussex County


Criminal Plans

Criminal Case Management Plan for Resentencing Proceedings (12 July 2013)

Criminal Case Management Plan-New Castle County

Criminal Case Management Plan-Kent County

Criminal Case Management Plan-Sussex County


Judges' Rotation Plan


Jury Plans

Petit Jury Plan of the Superior Court (5 March)

Plan for the Special Selection of Juries (22 August 1994) [See also: Civil Rule 3(e)]

Special Jury Plan for Capital Cases

Standards Relating to Jury Use and Management


Administrative Notices, Memorandums & Other Documents

Interim Guideline for the Use of Electronic Devices by Media Representatives (30 November 2015)

Memo Re: Vacating Special Assignment of Cases Pertaining to 21 Del. C. §4176A (17 October 2006)

LexisNexis e-File Kent County Sheriff Returns (5 February 2007)

LexisNexis e-File Kent County Judgment and Execution Writs (5 September 2006)

Guide to the Delaware Rules of Legal Citation in the Superior Court of Delaware (September 2004)

Memo to Members of the Bar Re: Superior Court Rule 4(d), Title 10 §3104, §3112 and §3114 (25 August 2004)

Sentencing Memorandum No. 1-Sentencing to KEY or Greentree programs

Sentencing Memorandum No. 2-Calculation of Credit Time

Sentencing Memorandum No. 3-Time Served and Related Issues

Sentencing Memorandum No. 4-Commencement of the Level IV Portion of a Sentence [Sentencing Memorandum No. 5-Rescinded]

Sentencing Memorandum No. 6-Incarceration for one year or more

Sentencing Memorandum No. 7-Length of Probation or Suspension of Sentence

Superior Court Expectations for Attorney's Professionalism and Civility in a Courtroom Setting (8 April 2004)