The Sussex County Courthouse is closed today March 28, 2024, due to a water leak.

The Delaware State Courts will be closed on Friday, March 29, 2024 in observance of Good Friday. 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-Midnight (no new cases after 11PM).

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History: Superior Court Special Session Commemorating the 175th Anniversary of the Creation of the Court


The Superior Court by the Honorable Henry duPont Ridgely, the Honorable Clarence W. Taylor, the Honorable Richard R. Cooch, F. Alton Tybout, Esq., and Kevin J. O'Connell, Esq.

Superior Court Judges, Past & Present

Superior Court Investiture Ceremony Transcripts, 1966 - 2018

Superior Court Special Session Commemorating the 300th Anniversary of the Courts on the Green


Superior Court's 175th Anniversary Commemoration

Old New Castle Courthouse, New Castle, Delaware

The 175th anniversary of the court's creation under the Delaware Constitution of 1831 was commemorated with a Special Session of the Superior Court.

Delaware judges, government officials, and distinguished guests gathered for the celebration at the historic New Castle County Courthouse, in New Castle, Delaware on April 9, 2007.

To learn some little known facts about the early days of the court and the people involved, read the complete 175th Anniversary Ceremony transcript.

Although Superior Court's heritage can be traced back more than 339 years to December 6, 1669, our law courts which represent today's Superior Court jurisdiction, were decreed under the Constitution of 1831.

The law courts included Superior Court, which heard civil matters, the Court of General Sessions, which heard criminal matters, and the Court of Oyer and Terminer, which heard capital cases and consisted of all four law judges for the other two courts.

Excerpt from the event April 9, 2007 commemoration:

"Today, Monday, April 9, 2007, marks the 175th Anniversary of the first session held by the Superior Court. Resident Judge Samuel M. Harrington, one of the original Superior Court judges appointed after approval of the Constitution of 1831, recorded in Volume 1 of his reports – and I quote...

'The Superior Court held its first session at Georgetown in Sussex County on Monday, the 9th of April 1832.'

This special session today is being held to commemorate this milestone in the Court's history,"

President Judge James T. Vaughn Jr.

Read Complete Transcript

View the judges that served under the Constitution of 1831