This post was prepared by Rae Ra, a corporate and commercial litigation associate in the Delaware office of Lewis Brisbois.

On March 27, 2026, members of the Delaware Court of Chancery, the Register in Chancery, and practitioners gathered for a CLE seminar to discuss best practices in the Court of Chancery.  Topics ranged widely, from filing mechanisms to discovery disputes to sage advice from the Court itself. Regardless of whether one is a beginning litigator or a seasoned practitioner, the CLE offered several helpful tips and reminders.

Below are some highlights that this author found particularly pertinent:

  1. Anticipate both the lifecycle and immediate consequences of the litigation
  • Commencing litigation involves more than just filing the complaint–consider e-discovery considerations that will arise down the road, the litigation hold, the economic rationale for the suit, etc.
  • Anticipate immediate consequences of the suit (e.g., advancement demands from defendant directors).
  • What is the end goal of the client?
  1. The Register in Chancery works tirelessly to ensure dockets are maintained in a clear and consistent manner
  • Everyone should review the Court of Chancery Rules and the Guidelines for Persons Litigating in the Court of Chancery on best practices–this point could not be emphasized enough from both the Court and the RIC.
  • With a staff of less than 20, the RIC works all day to review filings and answer questions from practitioners. The RIC also leaves comments for why a filing was rejected.
  • Case carts are moved physically from floor to floor by the Court staff–consider this when filing unnecessarily voluminous trial exhibits.
  • This is a prestigious docket, and the RIC wants this done right.
  1. This is a court that moves with the pace of business–be clear on actual timelines
  • Chancellor McCormick remarked that the Court moves with the pace of business and expects attorneys to let the Court know what that pace is.
  • When scheduling dates, the Court does NOT hold potential dates–the longer you wait, the more likely available time slots will be filled up.
  1. Clarity really helps to resolve discovery disputes
  • Depending on the complexity of the case, consider whether a discovery mediator or special magistrates may be needed (but they can be expensive)
  • Make sure to fully meet and confer on discovery disputes – be clear on what exactly you’re looking for and why. See if there are misunderstandings that don’t have to end up at Court. The Court sees when a party is asking for everything under the sun, and that hurts that party’s credibility.
  • There may be a resource forthcoming from the Court this year addressing and aggregating bench rulings on discovery disputes – stay tuned!
  1. Remember the Delaware Way
  • Protect your reputation and credibility at all times–treat your fellow practitioners and the Court with professionalism and civility.
  • Anything you write may get in front of the Court, and if you’re mean to the staff, the Court will hear about it.
  1. (Re) Familiarize yourself with the Bluebook
  • Chancellor McCormick noted that correctly cited and bluebooked briefs are another measure of credibility for the Court. The level of attention and detail can make a difference in making your case.