History of the Supreme Court
The modern Supreme Court was established in 1951 by constitutional amendment. The State's first separate Supreme Court initially consisted of three justices and was enlarged to the current five justices in 1978.
Prior to 1951, Delaware was without a separate Supreme Court. The highest appellate authority prior to the creation of the separate Supreme Court consisted of those judges who did not participate in the original litigation in the lower courts. These judges would hear the appeal en Banc (collectively) and would exercise final jurisdiction in all matters in both law and equity.
Please refer to the following documents chronicling the history of the Court:
- The Supreme Court of Delaware: 1900 to 1950
by Professor Paul Dolan - The Supreme Court Until 1951: The "Leftover Judge" System
by the Honorable Henry R. Horsey and the Honorable William Duffy - The Supreme Court After 1951: The Separate Supreme Court
by the Honorable Henry R. Horsey and the Honorable William Duffy - Historical list of all Delaware Supreme Court Justices (1951 - present)
For biographical information pertaining to current Justices of the Delaware Supreme Court, please refer to the Judicial Officers page.
