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CIVIL RULES GOVERNING THE DELAWARE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
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- Rule 45. Subpoena.
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- (a) Issuance of writs. Upon the commencement of an
action, the Clerk of the Court shall forthwith issue the process specified in the praecipe
and shall deliver it for service to the sheriff of the county or counties specified in
the praecipe or to a person especially appointed by the Court to serve it. The party
requesting the issuance of process shall prepare a form thereof for signature by the Clerk
of the Court under the seal of the Court. Upon direction of the plaintiff in the praecipe,
separate or additional process shall issue against any defendants.
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- (b) Attachment under Chapter 35, Title 10, Delaware Code.
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- (1) The proof required for the issuance of a mesne writ of attachment under
Chapter 35, Title 10, Delaware Code, will be satisfied by filing with the complaint an
affidavit of plaintiff or some credible person setting forth the facts required by the
applicable statute. In addition to the facts required by the applicable statute, such
affidavit shall also state:
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- (A) As to each nonresident defendant whose appearance is sought to be compelled,
the defendant's last known address or a statement that such address is unknown and cannot
with due diligence be ascertained.
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- (B) The following information as to the property of each defendant sought to be
seized:
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- (I) A reasonable description thereof.
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- (II) The estimated amount and value thereof.
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- (III) The nature of the defendant's title or interest therein, and if such title
or interest be equitable in nature, the name of the holder of the legal title.
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- (IV) The source of affiant's information as to any of the items as to which the
affidavit is made on information and belief.
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- (V) The reason for the omission of any of the required statements.
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- (2) Bond required of plaintiff. No mesne writ of attachment shall be issued
until plaintiff, in such proceedings, shall give bond, in an amount and with surety to be
approved by the Court out of which the writ is to be issued, conditioned that if the suit
shall not be prosecuted with effect, or if the judgment rendered therein shall be in favor
of a defendant, the plaintiff will pay any and all costs which may be awarded to a
defendant, together with any and all damages, not exceeding the amount of the bond, which
a defendant in the suit may have sustained by reason of such attachment; for this purpose,
a bond executed by an approved surety company alone, without joinder of plaintiff shall be
deemed a compliance with the provisions of this Rule. In fixing the amount of such bond,
the Court may consider the kind of property to be seized, the estimated value thereof, the
possibility of a loss to a defendant as the result of the seizure, and other relevant
matters.
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- (3) Release of attached property.
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- (A) Any nonresident defendant whose property shall have been seized upon a writ
of foreign attachment and who shall have entered a general appearance in the cause may
move for an order releasing such property or any part thereof from seizure. The Court
shall then release such property forthwith unless the plaintiff shall satisfy the Court
that because of other circumstances there is a reasonable possibility that such release
may render it substantially less likely that plaintiff will obtain satisfaction of any
judgment thereafter secured and in that event plaintiff shall also give bond with approved
surety, in an amount at least equal to the current value of the property seized,
conditioned that if the cause shall not be prosecuted with effect, or if judgment rendered
therein shall be in favor of a defendant, the plaintiff will pay all damages, including
costs, which such defendant may have sustained by reason of such seizure, not exceeding
the amount of such bond.
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- (B) Any property seized under a mesne writ of attachment will be released from
seizure, in whole or in part, upon defendant's furnishing such security for its release as
is approved by the Court, conditioned for the payment of any judgment that may be
recovered in the proceedings with costs, in an amount at least equal to the current value
of the property to be released or the amount claimed in the suit, whichever is the lesser;
provided, however, that the furnishing of such security shall not of itself constitute a
general appearance.
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- (4) A writ of foreign attachment may issue against any individual or
incorporated association not an inhabitant of this State or against a foreign corporation,
although joined as parties defendant with other nonresident or resident parties, with the
same effect as if such nonresident defendant were the only defendant.
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- (5) Every mesne writ of attachment issued shall specify therein a reasonable
description of the property to be seized, and the amount claimed by the plaintiff. The
Clerk of the Court shall cause to be published a copy of such writ in a newspaper of
general circulation in the county in which the writ is issued at least once within 20 days
after the issuance of such writ. Within 7 days after the filing of the sheriff's return of
a writ of mesne attachment, the Clerk of the Court shall, in addition to making the
required publication, send by registered mail to every nonresident defendant whose
appearance is sought to be compelled, at the address furnished by plaintiff, if such
address is known, certified copies of the complaint, affidavit, writ and return, filed in
the cause. No publication will be required if all defendants shall have been personally
served prior to the time publication would otherwise take place, and no mailing will be
required to any defendant who has been personally served.
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- (6) Except in cases of garnishment, if it appears from the description of the
property to be seized that it is not susceptible of physical seizure within the State, the
plaintiff shall upon institution of suit obtain from the Court an order, a certified copy
of which shall be served with the writ, upon the person, persons or corporation having
possession or custody of the property or control of its transfer, directing such person,
persons or corporation to:
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- (A) Retain the property and recognize no transfer thereof until order of the
Court;
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- (B) Forthwith make a notation upon any records pertaining to the property that
such property is held pursuant to the order of the Court; and
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- (C) Within 10 days after the date of such service, file a certificate under oath
with the Clerk of the Court, specifying:
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- (I) Such defendant's property, if any, of which it has possession, custody or
control, or control of its transfer;
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- (II) Whether the title or interest of each such defendant is legal or
beneficial; and
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- (III) If legal, the name and address of the holder of any equitable or
beneficial title or interest therein, if known, and if beneficial, the name and address of
the holder of the legal title thereto, if known.
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- (7) Costs. The plaintiff shall deposit with the Clerk of the Court an amount
sufficient to defray the cost of publication in any case where such publication is
required in addition to the usual deposit for costs, before a writ of foreign attachment
will be issued.
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- (8) In any action commenced by mesne writ of attachment, the defendant shall
serve the answer (and if required, an affidavit of defense) within 40 days after the date
of the attachment of the property or the service of the writ upon a garnishee, as the case
may be. After the expiration of such 40-day period, or after the defendant's appearance,
whichever first occurs, the action shall proceed as in suits commenced by summons.
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- (9) If any attached property is of a perishable nature, or will cause undue
expense in its keeping, the Court may order the attaching officer, on due notice, to sell
the same, and retain the proceeds of sale, subject to the order of the Court. No property
attached under a mesne writ of attachment or garnishment shall be sold except upon order
of the Court, which order shall specify the notice required and all other pertinent
matters relating to such sale.
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- (c) Contents of writ: Generally. The process shall bear
the date of its issuance, be signed by the Clerk of the Court or 1 of the Clerk's
Deputies, be under the seal of the Court, contain the name of the Court and the names of
the parties, state the name of the official or other person to whom it is directed, the
name and address of the plaintiff's attorney, if any, otherwise the plaintiff's address,
and the time within which these Rules require the defendant to appear and defend, and
shall notify the defendant that in case of the failure to do so, judgment by default will
be rendered against the defendant for the relief demanded in the complaint.
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- (d) By whom served. Service of process shall be made by
the sheriff to whom the writ is directed, by a deputy sheriff, or by some person specially
appointed by the Court for that purpose, except that a subpoena may be served as provided
in Rule 45.
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- (e) Process, complaint and affidavit of demand to be served together. The process, complaint and affidavits, if any, shall be served together. The Prothonotary
shall furnish the person making service with such copies as are necessary. Service shall
be made as follows:
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- (f) Service of process; how made.
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- (1) Summons. Service of summons shall be made as follows:
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- (A) Upon an individual other than an infant or an incompetent person by
delivering a copy of the summons, complaint and affidavit, to that individual personally
or by leaving copies thereof at that individual's dwelling house or usual place of abode with
some person of suitable age and discretion then residing therein, or by delivering
copies thereof to an agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of
process.
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- (B)(I)
- Upon an infant of 18 years of age or more, in the same manner as upon an adult
individual unless such infant has a guardian in this State; and if there is such a
guardian, then upon such guardian in the same manner as upon an individual, if the
guardian is an individual, or in the same manner as upon a corporation, if the guardian is
a corporation.
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- (II) Upon an infant under the age of 18 years, if such infant has a guardian in
this State, by service upon such guardian in the same manner as upon an individual, if the
guardian is an individual, or in the same manner as upon a corporation, if the guardian is
a corporation; and if there is no such guardian, by service in the same manner as upon an
individual, upon an adult person with whom such infant resides or who has the infant's
place of abode.
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- (III) Upon an incompetent person, if such person has a trustee or guardian in
this State, by service upon such trustee or guardian, in the same manner as upon an
individual, if the trustee or guardian is an individual; or in the same manner as upon a
corporation, if such trustee or guardian is a corporation; and if there is no such trustee
or guardian, by service in the same manner as upon an individual, upon an adult person
with whom such incompetent person resides or who has the incompetent person's place of
abode.
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- (IV) As used herein, trustee or guardian refers to one appointed by the Court of
competent jurisdiction in this State; provided, however, that a trustee or guardian duly
appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction of another state may accept service and/or
appear, upon filing proof of such appointment in the cause here pending.
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- (V) Upon an infant or incompetent person, not a resident of the State, in the
same manner as upon a competent adult person who is not an inhabitant of or found within
the State.
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- (C) Upon a domestic or foreign corporation or upon a partnership or
unincorporated association which is subject to suit under common name by delivering copies
of the summons, complaint and affidavit, if any, to an officer, a managing or general
agent or to any other agent authorized by law to receive service of process and if the
agent is one authorized by statute to receive service and the statute so requires, by also
mailing a copy to the defendant.
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- (D) Upon a municipal corporation or other governmental organization subject to
suit by delivering a copy of the summons, complaint and affidavit, if any, to the chief
executive officer thereof or by serving copies thereof in the manner prescribed by law for
the service of summons upon such defendant.
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- (E) Upon a defendant of any class referred to in subsection (I) and (III) of
this Rule, it is also sufficient if the summons, complaint and affidavit, if any, are
served in the manner prescribed by any statute.
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- (F) Whenever a statute, rule of court or an order of court provides for service
of summons or of a notice or of an order in lieu of summons upon a party not an inhabitant
of or found within the State, service shall be made under the circumstances and in the
manner prescribed by the statute, rule or order.
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- (2) Attachment. Service of attachment or garnishee process shall be made in the
same manner as provided in Rule 4(f), on those persons, firms or corporations subject to
such service in this State. If garnishees are summoned upon a writ of mesne attachment,
the person serving the writ shall leave with them a copy of the writ, the complaint and
affidavit. If execution of the writ requires seizure of real or personal property, the
sheriff shall levy thereon and make his return in the same manner as heretofore.
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- (3) Capias. The writ of capias shall be served as provided by statute. The
person serving the writ shall deliver to the defendant a copy of the writ, complaint and
affidavit.
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- (4) Scire Facias. In actions begun by scire facias, 2 returns without service of
2 consecutive writs, being the original writ and an alias writ, followed by a
certification by the sheriff that he has posted a copy of the alias writ on the subject
property and has mailed a copy of the alias writ by both certified mail, return receipt
requested, and first class mail to the last known address (as stated in the praecipe) of
the defendants, shall constitute legal and sufficient service. Not later than ten (10)
days following the filing of an action begun by scire facias, the plaintiff, or his
counsel of record, shall send by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt
requested, to holders of liens on the real estate which is the subject of such action who
have acquired such liens at the time the action is filed and to tenants holding or
possessing a leasehold estate for years or at will in such real estate, a notice
consisting of a copy of the complaint and a written Notice to Lien Holders and Tenants of
Filing of Action substantially similar to Form 36 Appendix of Forms (Superior Court). The
notice shall be addressed to holders of liens at the address which appears upon the
recorded or filed instrument creating the lien or upon the record of the lien, or to the
counsel of record for the holder of the lien, or, if such addresses are not ascertainable
from the public records, at the last known available or reasonably ascertainable address
of the holders of such liens. The notice shall be addressed to tenants holding or
possessing a leasehold estate for years or at will at the last known available or
reasonably ascertainable address of such tenants, and in addition, the plaintiff or his
counsel of record or a representative of the plaintiff or his counsel of record shall post
such notice on the common entrance door or in a common area of any building or buildings
on the real estate which is the subject of such action. No judgment shall be entered in
such action unless the plaintiff or his counsel of record shall file with the Court proof
of the mailing and posting of such notice which shall consist of the usual receipt given
by the post office of mailing to the person mailing the certified article, the return
receipt, or, in the case of an undelivered notice, the original returned envelope, and a
copy of the Notice to Lien Holders and Tenants of Filing of Action mailed with such notice
together with an affidavit made by plaintiff or his counsel of record or a representative
of the plaintiff or his counsel of record specifying:
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- (A) The names and addresses of holders of liens and tenants holding or
possessing a leasehold estate for years or at will in such real estate and the dates upon
which the notice was mailed by certified mail to such lien holders and tenants;
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- (B) That the copy of the Notice to Lien Holders and Tenants of Filing of Action
attached to the affidavit is a true and correct copy of the Notice to Lien Holders and
Tenants of Filing of Action mailed by certified mail;
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- (C) That the notice was posted on the common entrance door or in a common area
of any building or buildings on the real estate which is the subject of the action and the
date of such posting;
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- (D) That the receipt obtained at the time of mailing by the person mailing the
envelope containing the notice is the receipt filed with the affidavit;
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- (E) That the return receipt obtained at the time of delivery of the envelope
containing the notice is the return receipt filed with the affidavit;
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- (F) The date upon which the envelope containing any undelivered notice was
returned to the sender; and
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- (G) If the identity or address of any lien holders and tenants cannot be
reasonably ascertained, a description of the reasonably diligent efforts that were made by
plaintiff or his counsel to ascertain such identity or address and that plaintiff or his
counsel of record caused a copy of the Notice to Lien Holders and Tenants (but not Exhibit
"A" to such Notice) to be published once in a newspaper of general circulation
in the County which is the venue of such action. Notice given to lien holders and tenants
holding or possessing a leasehold estate for years or at will in accordance with this
paragraph shall be sufficient notice to such parties in lieu of joinder of such parties as
a defendant.
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- (5) Service of original process other than summons, attachment, capias or scire
facias. Service of original process other than summons, attachment, capias or scire
facias, shall be made as provided by statute or order of court.
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- (g) Return of process. Original process, whether an
original, alias or pluries writ shall be returnable 20 days after the issuance of the
writ, except that in actions for mandamus the Court may, upon application for cause shown,
direct that the writ be returnable in a shorter time. The person serving the process
shall make return thereof to the Court promptly after service and in any event on the
return day thereof. Process which cannot be served before the return day thereof shall be
returned on the return day and such return shall set forth the reasons why service could
not be had. If service is made by a person other than by an officer or his deputy his
return shall be verified. Failure to make a return or proof of service shall not
affect the validity of service.
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- (h) Actions in which service of process is secured pursuant to 10
Del.C. § 3104, § 3112 or § 3113. In an action in which the plaintiff
serves process pursuant to 10 Del.C. § 3104, § 3112 or § 3113, the defendant's return
receipt and the affidavit of the plaintiff or the plaintiff's attorney of the defendant's
nonresidence and the sending of a copy of the complaint with the notice required by the
statute shall be filed as an amendment to the complaint within 10 days of the receiving by
the plaintiff or the plaintiff 's attorney of the defendant's return receipt; provided,
however, that the amendment shall not be served upon the parties in accordance with the
provisions of Rule 5(a).
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- (i) Amendment of process. At any time in its discretion
and upon such terms as it deems just, the Court may allow any process or return of proof
of service to be amended unless it clearly appears that material prejudice would result to
the substantial rights of the party against whom the process issued.
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- (j) Summons: Time limit for service. If a service of the
summons and complaint is not made upon a defendant within 120 days after the filing of the
complaint and the party on whose behalf such service was required cannot show good cause
why such service was not made within that period, the action shall be dismissed as to that
defendant without prejudice upon the court's own initiative with notice to such party or
upon motion.
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- (k) Service in actions for judgment by confession or execution
thereon. Action for judgment by confession or execution thereon shall comply
with Rules 58.1, 58.2, and 58.3. discovery required to be served upon a party unless the
Court otherwise orders, every written motion other than one which may be heard ex parte,
and every written notice, appearance, demand, offer of judgment, designation of record on
appeal, and similar paper shall be served upon each of the parties. No service need be
made on parties in default for failure to appear except that pleadings asserting new or
additional claims for relief against them shall be served upon them in the manner provided
for service of summons in Rule 4.
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- Rule 45. Subpoena.
- (a) Form; issuance.
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- (1) Every subpoena shall
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- (A) state the name of the Court and the county from which it is issued; and
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- (B) state the title of the action, the name of the court in which it is pending,
and its civil action number; and
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- (C) command each person to whom it is directed to attend and give testimony or
to produce and permit inspection and copying of designated books, documents, or tangible
things in the possession, custody or control of that person, or to permit inspection of
premises, at a time and place therein specified; and
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- (D) set forth the text of subdivisions (c), (d), and (e) of this rule.
A command to produce evidence or to permit inspection may be joined with a command to
appear at trial or hearing or at deposition, or may be issued separately.
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- (2) A subpoena shall issue from the county in which the action is pending. If
the action is pending in another court, a subpoena for attendance at a deposition shall
issue from the county in which the deposition is to be taken or, if separate from a
subpoena commanding the attendance of a person, a subpoena for production or inspection
shall issue from the county in which the production or inspection is to be made.
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- (3) The Prothonotary shall issue a subpoena, signed but otherwise in blank, to a
party requesting it, who shall complete it before service. A Delaware attorney, as an
officer of the Court, may also issue and sign a subpoena.
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- (b) Service.
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- (1) A subpoena may be served by the Sheriff or by any person who is not a
party and is not less than 18 years of age. Service of a subpoena upon a person named
therein shall be made by delivering a copy thereof to such person. Prior notice of any
commanded production of documents and things or inspection of premises before trial shall
be served on each party in the manner prescribed by Rule 5(b).
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- (2) Proof of service when necessary shall be made by filing with the
Prothonotary of the county from which the subpoena issued a statement of the date and
manner of service and of the names of the persons served, certified by the person who made
the service.
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- Rule 5. Service and Filing of Pleadings and Other Papers.
- (a) Service: When required. Except as otherwise provided
in these Rules, every order required by its terms to be served, every pleading subsequent
to the original complaint unless the Court otherwise orders because of numerous
defendants, every paper relating to discovery required to be served upon a party unless
the Court otherwise orders, every written motion other than one which may be heard ex
parte, and every written notice, appearance, demand, offer of judgment, designation of
record on appeal and similar paper shall be served upon each of the parties. No service
need be made on parties in default for failure to appear except that pleadings asserting
new or additional claims for relief against them shall be served upon them in the manner
provided for service of summons in Rule 4.
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- (1) Appearance: When; how made; withdrawal. Except as otherwise provided by
statute, a defendant may appear though a summons has not been served upon the defendant.
Appearance may be made by the service and filing of notice thereof, or by the service or
filing of any motion or pleading purporting to be responsive to, or affecting the
complaint, except that appearance for purpose of satisfying a judgment, when appearance
may be made by notation thereof on the judgment docket. An attorney may withdraw the
attorney's appearance without obtaining the Court's permission where such withdrawal will
leave a member of the Delaware Bar appearing as attorney of record for the party.
Otherwise, no appearance shall be withdrawn except on order of the Court.
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- (2) Appearance of garnishee: When; how made. Any garnishee duly summoned (either
on mesne writ of attachment or execution process) shall serve upon plaintiff a verified
answer within 20 days after service of process, which shall specify what goods, chattels,
rights, credits, money or effects of a defendant, if any, the garnishee has in the
garnishee's possession or custody. Within 10 days after service of such answer, plaintiff
may serve exceptions thereto, and the proceedings on the issues thus raised shall be had
as in actions commenced by summons. If no exceptions are filed by plaintiff to garnishee's
answer within the 10-day period as aforesaid, a delivery to the sheriff of the property
set forth in the answer by the garnishee, or so much of it as shall satisfy plaintiff's
demand, shall be a discharge of the garnishee in the proceedings, and the sheriff shall
make a suitable supplemental return on the writ showing the property which has been
delivered to the sheriff by the garnishee, and shall dispose of such property as directed
by the writ. Unless the garnishee delivers such property to the sheriff within 5 days
after the expiration of the 10-day period for plaintiff's exceptions, if any, the sheriff
shall on written direction of the plaintiff physically seize any property subject to
seizure, and with respect to any property set forth in the answer, which is not seized or
delivered to the sheriff, the plaintiff on motion may have personal judgment entered
against the garnishee in favor of plaintiff in an amount equal to the value of the
property of defendant in garnishee's custody or possession, or the amount of the
plaintiff's judgment, whichever is less, with interest and costs. Before the sheriff shall
serve any writ of attachment, the sheriff shall receive from the plaintiff the sum of $20
for each party to be summoned as garnishee (except as to garnishment governed by the terms
of 10 Del. C. § 4913) and said sum shall be delivered to each garnishee when the summons
is served; the return on the writ of garnishment will show the garnishee fee paid, which
will be taxed as costs in the case; no garnishee will be required to answer without first
having received the garnishee fee as aforesaid.
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- (b) Service of pleadings and papers: How made. Whenever
under these Rules service is required or permitted to be made upon a party represented by
an attorney the service shall be made upon the attorney unless service upon the party
personally is ordered by the Court. Service upon the attorney or upon a party shall be
made by delivering a copy or by mailing it to the attorney or the party at the attorney's
or party's last known address or, if no address is known, by leaving it with the Clerk of
the Court. Delivery of a copy within this Rule means: handing it to the attorney or to the
party; or leaving it at the attorney's or the party's office with a clerk or other person
in charge thereof; or, if there is no one in charge, leaving it in a conspicuous place
therein; or if the office is closed or the person to be served has no office, leaving it
at the person's dwelling house or usual place of abode with some person of suitable age
and discretion then residing therein. Service by mail is complete upon mailing.
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- (1) In any action involving a claim for personal injuries, the defendant shall
file and serve with his answer, answers to the interrogatories appearing in Superior Court
Rules Form 30.
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- (2) If a counterclaim, cross-claim or third-party complaint for personal
injuries is filed, the defendant in such claim shall file with the answer that discovery
which is required of a defendant in a complaint for personal injuries.
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- (3) The prerequisites of Rule 5(b)(1) may for good cause shown be waived by
order of the Court.
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- (c) Same: Numerous defendants. In any action in which
there are unusually large numbers of defendants, the Court, upon motion or of its own
initiative, may order that service of the pleadings of the defendants and replies thereto
need not be made as between the defendants and that any cross-claim, counterclaim, or
matter constituting an avoidance or affirmative defense contained therein shall be deemed
to be denied or avoided by all other parties and that the filing of any such pleading and
service thereof upon the plaintiff constitutes due notice of it to the parties. A copy of
every such order shall be served upon the parties in such manner and form as the Court
directs.
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- (d) Filing. All papers after the complaint required to
be served upon a party shall be filed with the Court within a reasonable time after
service thereof subject to the following provisions.
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- (1) All requests for discovery under Court of Common Pleas Civil Rules 31, 33,
34, 35 and 36 and answers and responses shall be served upon all appearing counsel or
parties appearing pro se but shall not be filed with the Court. In lieu thereof, the party
requesting discovery and the party serving responses thereto shall file with the Court a
"Notice of Service" containing the following information:
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- (A) a certification that a particular form of discovery or response was served
on other counsel or opposing parties, and
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- (B) the date and manner of service.
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- (2) The party responsible for service of the request for discovery and the party
responsible for the response shall retain the originals and become the custodian of them.
The party taking an oral deposition shall be custodian of the original; no copy shall be
filed except pursuant to subparagraph (3). In cases involving out-of-state counsel, local
counsel shall be the custodian.
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- (3) If depositions, interrogatories, requests for documents, requests for
admission, answers or responses are to be used at trial or are necessary to a pretrial or
post-trial motion, the verbatim portions thereof considered pertinent by the parties shall
be filed with the Court when relied upon.
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- (4) When discovery not previously filed with the Court is needed for appeal
purposes, the Court, on its own motion, on motion by any party or by stipulation of
counsel, shall order the necessary material delivered by the custodian to the Court.
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- (5) The Court, on its own motion, on motion by any party or an application by a
non-party, may order the custodian to file the original of any discovery document.
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- (6) When discovery materials are to be filed with the Court other than during
trial, the filing party shall file the material together with a notice setting forth an
itemized list of the material.
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- (7) It shall be the duty of the party on whose behalf a deposition was taken to
make certain that the officer before whom it was taken has delivered the original
transcript to such party. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, any deposition which has
been filed pursuant to this Rule may be unsealed by the Clerk of the Court.
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- (e) Filing with the court defined. The filing of pleadings and other
papers with the Court as required by these Rules shall be made by filing them with the
Clerk of the Court, except that the judge may permit the p judge may permit the papers to
be filed with the judge, in which event the judge shall note thereon the filing date and
transmit them to the office of the Clerk of the Court. Papers may be filed by facsimile
transmission or electronically if permitted by these Rules, by administrative order, or by
a judge.
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- (f) Proof of service of papers. Unless otherwise ordered, no pleading or
other paper, required by these Rules to be served by the party filing the paper, shall be
filed unless the original thereof shall have endorsed thereon a receipt of service of a
copy thereof by all parties required to be served or it shall be accompanied by affidavit
showing that service has been made and how made or it shall be accompanied by a
certificate of an attorney of record showing service has been made and how.
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- (g) Sealing of court records.
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- (1) Except as otherwise provided by statute or rule, including this Rule 5(g)
and Rule 26(c), all pleadings and other papers of any nature filed with the Clerk of the
Court, including briefs, appendices, letters, deposition transcripts and exhibits, answers
to interrogatories and requests for admissions, responses to requests for production or
certificates and exhibits thereto ("Court Records"), shall become a part of the
public record of the proceedings before this Court.
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- (2) Court Records or portions thereof shall not be placed under seal unless and
except to the extent that the person seeking the sealing thereof shall have first
obtained, for good cause shown, an order of this Court specifying those Court Records,
categories of Court Records, or portions thereof which shall be placed under seal;
provided, however, the Court may, in its discretion, receive and review any document in
camera without public disclosure thereof and, in connection with any such review, may
determine whether good cause exists for the sealing of such documents; and provided
further that, unless the Court orders otherwise, the parties shall file within 30 days
redacted public versions of any Court Record where only a portion thereof is to be placed
under seal.
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- (3) The provisions of paragraph (2) of this Rule 5(g) notwithstanding, the Court
may, in its discretion, by appropriate order, authorize any person to designate Court
Records to be placed under seal pending a judicial determination of the specific Court
Records, categories, or portions thereof to which such restriction on public access shall
continue to apply
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- (4) Any person who objects to the continued restriction on public access to any
Court Record placed under seal pursuant to paragraphs (2) or (3) of this Rule 5(g) shall
give written notice of his or her objection to the person who designated the Court Record
for filing under seal and shall file such written notice with the Court. To the extent
that any person seeks to continue the restriction on public access to such Court Record,
he or she shall serve and file an application within seven days after receipt of such
written notice setting forth the grounds for such continued restriction and requesting a
judicial determination whether good cause exists therefor. In such circumstances, the
Court shall promptly make such a determination.
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- (5) The Clerk of the Court shall promptly unseal any Court Record in the absence
of timely compliance with the provisions of this Rule 5(g), if applicable. In addition, 30
days after final judgment has been entered without any appeal having been taken therefrom,
the Clerk of the Court shall send a notice, return receipt requested, to any person who
designated a Court Record to be placed under seal that such Court Record shall be released
from confidential treatment if required to be kept by the Clerk or, if not required to be
kept, returned to the person at the person's expense or destroyed, as such person may
elect, unless that person makes application to the Court within 30 days after notice from
the Clerk for further confidential treatment for good cause shown.
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