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Delaware Court of Common Pleas Civil Rules – 2026

Civil practice in the Court of Common Pleas, Delaware's statewide intermediate trial court. The rules track the Superior Court's civil rules closely and are organized in the same eleven parts, from commencement and service through pleadings, parties, discovery, trial, judgment and appeals, so a practitioner moving between the two courts is working from a familiar numbering. The court sits in all three counties and takes civil cases within its monetary limit along with appeals from the Justice of the Peace Court; Rule 72 governs those appeals and the record on them. Rule 16.1 is marked [Deleted]. Rule 79.1 prescribes the exact caption and format a filed document must carry, and Rule 84 specifies the wording on the court's seal.

Browse all 103 rules of the 2026 edition organized by section below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

Sections

Part I: Scope of Rules — One Form of Action Part II: Commencement of Action: Service of Process, Pleadings, Motions and Orders: Deposit and Security for Costs Part III: Pleadings and Motions Part IV: Parties Part V: Depositions and Discovery Part VI: Trials Part VII: Judgment Part VIII: Provisional and Final Remedies and Special Proceedings Part IX: Appeals Part X: The Court of Common Pleas: Clerks Part XI: General Provisions
Part I: Scope of Rules — One Form of Action Rules 1–2 Part II: Commencement of Action: Service of Process, Pleadings, Motions and Orders: Deposit and Security for Costs Rules 3–6 Part III: Pleadings and Motions Rules 7–16.2 Part IV: Parties Rules 17–25 Part V: Depositions and Discovery Rules 26–37 Part VI: Trials Rules 38–53 Part VII: Judgment Rules 54–63 Part VIII: Provisional and Final Remedies and Special Proceedings Rules 64–71 Part IX: Appeals Rules 72–72.3 Part X: The Court of Common Pleas: Clerks Rules 77–80 Part XI: General Provisions Rules 81–113