FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 22, 2020

All Delaware Court facilities ordered closed to the public until April 15, 2020.Only limited exception is for 24-hour Justice of the Peace Court locations Delaware Chief Justice Collins J. Seitz, Jr. today ordered all court facilities closed to the public as of Monday, March 23, 2020 until at least April 15, 2020 as part of the Delaware Judiciary’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 outbreak. In his order, the Chief Justice noted that the escalation of the spread of the COVID-19 virus now requires greater precautionary measures to protect the health and safety of litigants, practitioners, court staff and the public. “Since the declaration of a judicial emergency on March 14, 2020, the courts have done remarkable work using video and telephone instead of in-person appearances while postponing non-emergency matters. Despite these measures to reduce the traffic in our state courthouses, we have had several possible exposures which have been reported publicly. Given the escalating nature of the public health emergency, we needed to take further measures to protect the safety of the courts and our justice partners while keeping essential judicial functions operating.” said Chief Justice Seitz. The Chief Justice also thanked all those who continue to keep our justice system functioning under these trying circumstances. Courthouse staffing will be reduced starting Monday to focus on handling emergency and essential matters, particularly those involving criminal justice. The 24-hour Justice of the Peace Court locations in each county (Court 11 in New Castle County, Court 7 in Kent County and Court 3 in Sussex County) will remain open for payment of bail for all courts and emergency criminal and civil filings for the Justice of the Peace Court. Those employees not directed to be part of the limited staffing of the courts are being directed to stay home and, as directed, work remotely until further notice. Each courthouse will provide a method – such as a drop box – for attorneys and the public without access to e-filing who need to file paper documents when e-filing is not available. When practical, the courts shall provide an email address for attorneys and the public to email documents which will be considered filed with the court when received. The order signed by the Chief Justice also suspends certain requirements for sworn declarations or verifications.

For additional details, please see the text of the order HERE

The J. Caleb Boggs Courthouse and Federal Building is temporarily closed until further notice. 

View Order here

In response to the recent outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the District of Delaware, the Court has directed that, effective immediately and until further notice, sealed criminal documents shall be filed electronically using the following procedures:  

 Sealed criminal documents shall be electronically submitted to the Court in pdf. format to the following address: SealedCriminal@ded.uscourts.gov Sealed documents requiring the attention of a Magistrate Judge must also be emailed to Keith_Kincaid@ded.uscourts.gov 

Each pdf. shall be identified by criminal case number and the assigned Judge’s initials. For example, USA v. John Smith, Cr. 20-123, assigned to Chief Judge Stark would be transmitted as: 20cr123-LPS. If multiple defendants are involved, the defendant’s suffix number must be included, for example, USA v. Frank Smith, Cr., 20-123-04 would be transmitted as: 20cr123-04-LPS. 

The assigned Judge’s docket clerk will retrieve the sealed document and make the entry on the docket. For additional information, contact the Clerk’s Office at 302-573-6170.

March 18, 2020

Review Directive here

ANNOUNCEMENT

March 18, 2020

All oral arguments scheduled through the end of May 2020 before the Supreme Court of Delaware are cancelled. The Court will decide all March, April, and May appeals without argument unless a motion is filed no later than March 27, 2020 requesting oral argument and stating concisely why oral argument is required, and the position of opposing counsel. No response is permitted. If the motion is granted, the Court will reschedule oral argument to a date to be determined by the Court taking into consideration the duration of the current health emergency affecting the Delaware Courts. 

View Order here

Notice Regarding Court Operations during COVID-19 Virus Outbreak

Clerk’s Office Intake Counter

Beginning March 18, 2020, and until further notice, there will be no in person public access to the Bankruptcy Court’s Clerk’s Office. The Clerk’s Office will remain open to the public through telephone and email access and the drop boxes located in the lobby of the courthouse. CM/ECF will continue to be available for electronic filing.  The Clerk’s Office can be reached at (302) 252-2900.

Self-Represented Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy

Emergency bankruptcy petitions for individuals may be filed electronically by accessing the following link. https://www.deb.uscourts.gov/covid-19

Cases emailed through this procedure will be opened but will be further administered at a date to be determined.  Section 341 meetings will not be scheduled at this time.  Filing fees for individual bankruptcy petitions will be deferred at this time. 

Additional resources can be found on the Court’s website, including how to find case information, accessing electronic court records through PACER, filing without an attorney, and information about local and national bankruptcy forms.  

Existing Individual cases with outstanding filing fees and/or uncured deficiencies

Deadlines for paying outstanding fees and uncured deficiencies in individual bankruptcy cases are extended until further notice.

Hearings

See General Order – COVID 19: https://www.deb.uscourts.gov/covid-19

Beginning March 18, all hearings at the bankruptcy court will be held telephonically through CourtCall.  Participants may contact CourtCall at 866-582-6878, email assist@courtcall.com or schedule online at www.courtcall.com.  For more information regarding telephonic hearings, please check the Court’s website. 

Thank you for your cooperation. We are committed to continuing the work of the court in a manner that is consistent with public health guidelines for the health and safety of the public and our staff.

EMERGENCY CLERK'S OFFICE PROCEDURES 

Coronavirus Update 

ORDER

This 16th day of March 2020, it appears to the Supreme Court of Delaware that:

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that a novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) presents a serious public health threat, and this threat is affecting Delaware;

WHEREAS, the President of the United States of America, has declared a National State of Emergency due to the public health threat caused by COVID-19;

WHEREAS, under his authority set forth in 20 Del. C. ch. 31, Governor John C. Carney declared a State of Emergency for the State of Delaware due to the public health threat caused by COVID-19;

WHEREAS, under 10 Del. C. § 2004, the Chief Justice, in consultation with other members of the Supreme Court, declared a judicial emergency that went into effect on March 16, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. and that will continue for 30 days, subject to further review; and

WHEREAS, in the interest of protecting litigants, practitioners, court staff, and the public, the Supreme Court of Delaware has implemented, and will continue to implement, certain precautionary measures.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the following precautionary measures will go into effect immediately and remain in place until further order of the Supreme Court of Delaware: 1. Supreme Court Rule 10(d), which requires the filing of paper copies of briefs and appendices with the Court, is suspended. 2. Lawyers shall not submit paper copies of any documents that have been electronically filed with the Court.

FOR THE COURT: /s/ Collins J. Seitz, Jr. Chief Justice

Read full Order here

View full ORDER here

This 16th day of March 2020, it appears to the Supreme Court of Delaware that: WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that a novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) presents a serious public health threat, and this threat is affecting Delaware; WHEREAS, the President of the United States of America, has declared a National State of Emergency due to the public health threat caused by COVID-19; WHEREAS, under his authority set forth in 20 Del. C. ch. 31, Governor John C. Carney declared a State of Emergency for the State of Delaware due to the public health threat caused by COVID-19; WHEREAS, under 10 Del. C. § 2004, the Chief Justice, in consultation with other members of the Supreme Court, declared a judicial emergency that went into effect on March 16, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. and that will continue for 30 days, subject to further review; and WHEREAS, in the interest of protecting litigants, practitioners, court staff, and the public, the Supreme Court of Delaware has implemented, and will continue to implement, certain precautionary measures. NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the following precautionary measures will go into effect immediately and remain in place until further order of the Supreme Court of Delaware: 1. Supreme Court Rule 10(d), which requires the filing of paper copies of briefs and appendices with the Court, is suspended. 2. Lawyers shall not submit paper copies of any documents that have been electronically filed with the Court.

FOR THE COURT: /s/ Collins J. Seitz, Jr. Chief Justice