Judge Sheldon K. Rennie
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Case Dispositive Motion, Opposition
- 2 copies • Upon Filing
Letter
Motion
- 2 copies • Upon Filing
Motion, Opposition
- 1 copy
Communication
Chambers
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Chambers
Duty Judge
Page & Word Limits1 rule
A dispositive motion, response, or reply may not exceed six pages absent prior permission to exceed that limit.
The motion, response and reply shall not exceed 6 pages (unless permission has previously been granted to exceed the page limit) and shall include a notice page indicating the time for argument.
Motion
6 pages
Opposition
6 pages
Reply
6 pages
Document Format Requirements4 rules
A proposed order must be uploaded as a separate document in editable Word or Word Perfect format.
A Proposed Order must be uploaded separately from any other documents, and filed in editable Word or Word Perfect format!
Brief exhibits, courtesy copies of motions, and letters must be individually tabbed.
Exhibits to briefs, courtesy copies of motions, or letters must all be individually tabbed.
Briefs, exhibits, and appendices may not use clips or metal three-ring fasteners and instead must be stapled or bound.
No briefs, exhibits, or appendices may be clipped or fastened with paper clips, binder clips, or metal three-ring fasteners, but must be stapled or bound.
Motions must comply with Superior Court Civil Rule 78(b), and briefs must comply with Superior Court Civil Rules 107(b), (d), (e), and (h).
All motions shall be formatted in the manner set forth in Superior Court Civil Rule 78(b). All briefs shall be formatted in the manner set forth in Superior Court Civil Rules 107(b), (d), (e), and (h).
Document Filing Requirements22 rules
A nonmotion letter requesting court action must state each other party's position or explain that the party could not be reached.
Any letter to the Court requesting Court action of some kind (in instances where a motion is otherwise not appropriate) must state the position of each other party or otherwise represent that opposing counsel or the self-represented party could not be reached.
Document Type
Letter
All Delaware counsel and all self-represented litigants must sign a stipulation.
All Delaware counsel/self-represented litigants must sign a stipulation.
Document Type
Stipulation
A separately filed proposed order must include either a certificate of service or a letter bearing 'CC' at the bottom.
If a proposed order is not filed with its responsive motion, a Certificate of Service or a letter with 'CC' at the bottom is required to be filed with it.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Plaintiff's counsel must submit a status report within sixty days after the postponed scheduling-conference date.
Plaintiff's counsel must then submit a status report within sixty days of the date of the postponed conference.
Document Type
Status Report
A proposed order's title must specifically identify what the order addresses.
The document title must state with particularity what the proposed order addresses.
Document Type
Proposed Order
The proposed-order filing must be linked to the documents to which it refers or applies.
The filing must be linked to the documents to which the proposed order refers or applies.
Document Type
Proposed Order
The dispositive motion, response, and reply must each include a notice page stating the oral-argument time.
The motion, response and reply shall not exceed 6 pages (unless permission has previously been granted to exceed the page limit) and shall include a notice page indicating the time for argument.
Document Type
Dispositive Motion Briefing
A proposed order must contain a signature line for the presiding judicial officer.
There must be a line for the presiding judicial officer to sign.
Document Type
Proposed Order
A Trial Scheduling Order may be amended only by an appropriate motion or joint stipulation and requires a court order.
TSO amendments must be made by (1) appropriate motion or (2) joint stipulation, and must be ordered by the Court.
Document Type
Trial Scheduling Order Amendment
Plaintiff’s counsel must provide the court with an agreed-upon jury instruction set in both hard-copy and digital-media form.
Plaintiff’s counsel shall provide to the Court an agreed-upon set of instructions (both hard copy and via digital media).
Document Type
Jury Instructions
All proposed special voir dire questions must be included with the pretrial stipulation.
All proposed special voir dire questions shall be included with the Pretrial Stipulation.
Document Type
Pretrial Stipulation
The pretrial stipulation must state whether motions in limine have been filed and identify the related evidentiary issues.
Counsel must also indicate in the pretrial stipulation whether the filing of any motions in limine has occurred and the evidentiary issues to which they relate.
Document Type
Pretrial Stipulation
When jury instructions are disputed, the submission must identify each disagreement and include defense counsel’s proposed instructions and supporting authority.
If there are areas of disagreement, the submission shall include Defense Counsel’s notation of disagreement on each particular instruction upon which there is disagreement and Defense Counsel shall present his or her respective proposed instructions and supporting authority.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
The final trial status report must confirm exhibit exchange and no objections, jury-instruction exchange and submission, and agreement that no evidentiary or legal issues remain for the court to resolve before trial.
The final trial status report shall advise the Court of the following: (1) that all exhibits have been exchanged or reviewed by the parties or counsel, and there are no objections to any exhibit; (2) that proposed jury instructions have been exchanged, discussed, exceptions noted, with a copy submitted with status report in the form required by paragraph 9 above; and (3) that the parties and counsel agree there are no remaining evidentiary and/or legal issues for the Court to resolve prior to jury selection and opening statements.
Document Type
Final Trial Status Report
The Interim Status Report must address the issues, discovery progress, and ADR results, must omit offers and demands, and should reflect both parties’ input.
The interim report will advise the Court on the nature of the matters in issue, the progress of discovery to date, and the results of mandatory alternate dispute resolution used to date to resolve this matter. Do not include information on offers or demands. This document should reflect input from both parties.
Document Type
Interim Status Report
Plaintiff’s counsel must file the Interim Status Report with the assigned judge and submit a $150 check payable to the Prothonotary.
The Interim Status Report is to be filed by Plaintiff(s)’s Counsel with a copy to the assigned Judge, together with a check for the $150.00 trial fee made payable to the “Prothonotary.”
Document Type
Interim Status Report
A response should substantively address each motion argument rather than mirror complaint-answer phrases in corresponding numbered paragraphs.
When responding to a motion, avoid using terms and phrases typically used in answers to complaints (Admitted, Denied as Stated, etc.) in numbered paragraphs corresponding to the numbered paragraphs in the motion. Instead each argument in the motion should be addressed substantively.
Document Type
Motion Response
In a complex case, the court may require proposed jury instructions to be filed with the pretrial stipulation for Pretrial Conference discussion.
In complex cases, the Court may require that instructions be filed with the Pretrial Stipulation so they may be discussed at the Pretrial Conference.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Counsel should identify related Superior Court cases on the Case Information Statement filed with the complaint or answer.
Counsel should always identify any 'related' Superior Court cases on the Case Information Statement filed with the complaint or with the answer so that the new case is assigned to the same judge.
Document Type
Case Information Statement
A pretrial stipulation should identify all legal or evidentiary issues warranting pretrial focus and include citations to the authorities relied upon.
All legal or evidentiary issues worthy of pretrial identification and focus should be identified in the stipulation with brief citation(s) of legal authorities relied upon.
Document Type
Pretrial Stipulation
Plaintiff’s counsel must obtain defense counsel’s consent in sufficient time to include the information by the submission deadline.
Plaintiff’s counsel is responsible for obtaining defense counsel’s consent to form or additional input to be included in the Report in sufficient advance of the submission deadline to ensure compliance with the deadline.
Document Type
Interim Status Report
Counsel is expected to use Superior Court Civil Form 46 for pretrial stipulations.
Counsel is expected to utilize Superior Court Civil Form 46 for Pretrial Stipulations.
Document Type
Pretrial Stipulation
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
A substantive email must be docketed by the sender and may be sent only with Judge Rennie's approval or in exigent circumstances.
Substantive emails must be docketed by the sending party and may be sent only when (a) Judge Rennie has approved such email filing in the subject case or (b) exigent circumstances exist.
Page 1 | Communications
A fully effectuated stipulation that does not require a judge's signature should be filed under the document type 'Stipulation' and is not placed into judicial review.
If the Stipulation is fully effectuated but does not need the judge's signature to be implemented, the document type should be 'Stipulation' - this document type does not put the document into judicial review.
Page 1 | Proposed Orders & Stipulations
Administrative emails should not be docketed.
Administrative emails are not docketed.
Page 1 | Communications
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The reserved oral-argument time may be canceled if the dispositive motion is not filed within four days after the time is obtained.
If a party then does not file a dispositive motion within 4 days after obtaining the date and time for oral argument, the scheduled time may be canceled.
Page 1 | Motions & Briefing
Proposed jury instructions ordinarily must be filed on the Tuesday before trial.
Ordinarily, proposed jury instructions must be filed the Tuesday before the trial date.
Page 1 | Pretrial/Evidentiary Matters
Routine motions must be filed at least 15 calendar days before the noticed date, and responses are due within seven calendar days after filing but no later than the Friday before the hearing.
The provisions of Paragraph IV of the NCC Plan and Superior Court Civil Rule 107(b) to the contrary notwithstanding, in Judge Rennie's cases: (1) routine Motions must be filed no less than 15 calendar days prior to the noticed date and (2) responses are due no later than 7 calendar days after the filing of the motion and in no case later than the Friday prior to the motion's hearing.
Page 1 | Motions & Briefing
A dispositive-motion response with all supporting authority is due within 14 days after filing, excluding weekends and holidays.
The provisions of Paragraph IV of the NCC Plan and Superior Court Civil Rule 107(b) to the contrary notwithstanding, a response (with all supporting authority) to any dispositive motion is due no later than 14 days (excluding weekends and holidays) after the filing of the motion.
Page 1 | Motions & Briefing
Responses to dispositive motions are due within 14 business days after filing.
3. Dispositive Motion Deadline: Such motions are to be filed no later than ______________. Responses are due 14 business days after filing.
Page 1 | Trial Scheduling Order
The judge’s case manager must be notified immediately if the pretrial stipulation will be submitted late.
If the submission of the pretrial stipulation is to be delayed, the judge’s case manager must be immediately notified.
Page 3 | Trial Scheduling Order
The completed pretrial stipulation must be filed with the Prothonotary by the stated deadline.
The completed pretrial stipulation must be filed with the Prothonotary by __________________.
Page 3 | Trial Scheduling Order
Jury instructions must be submitted to the court by the stated deadline.
Jury instructions must be submitted to the Court on or before __________________________.
Page 3 | Trial Scheduling Order
The scheduling-order deadlines are firm; extensions may be denied absent good cause, and any amendment requires a court order entered on an appropriate motion or party stipulation.
Counsel are advised that all of the deadlines established by this Trial Scheduling Order are firm deadlines. Failure to meet these deadlines, absent good cause shown, likely will result in the Court refusing to allow extensions regardless of the consequences. Amendments to this Trial Scheduling Order must be by Order of the Court on appropriate motion or stipulation of the parties.
Page 4 | Trial Scheduling Order
A final trial status report is due by the stated deadline.
A Final Trial Status Report will be due on or before _______________.
Page 4 | Trial Scheduling Order
A response to a case-dispositive motion is due 14 business days after filing, with further briefing governed by court order.
Responses are due 14 business days after the motion is filed. Further briefing on the motion will be as ordered by the Court.
Page 5 | Additional Information and Procedures — Case Dispositive Motions
Motions must be filed at least fifteen 15 calendar days before the noticed presentation date, with two courtesy copies including exhibits delivered to Judge Rennie in chambers.
Motions must be filed no less than fifteen 15 calendar days prior to the noticed presentation date with two courtesy copies (with exhibits) delivered to Judge Rennie in chambers.
Page 5 | Additional Information and Procedures — Routine Civil Motions
A response to a routine civil motion is due no later than seven calendar days after filing and in all cases by the Friday before the hearing.
Responses are due no later than 7 calendar days after the filing of the motion and in no case later than the Friday prior to the motion’s hearing, with two courtesy copies of a response (with exhibits) delivered to Judge Rennie in chambers.
Page 5 | Additional Information and Procedures — Routine Civil Motions
Motions in limine are ordinarily filed, and responded to, well before the Pretrial Conference.
Motions in limine are usually filed and responded to well before the Pretrial Conference.
Page 1 | Pretrial/Evidentiary Matters
Filing Fees and Waivers
The trial fee is due no later than the pretrial conference; if unpaid within two business days after the conference, the case will be removed from the trial calendar and a new date will be scheduled upon payment.
The trial fee shall be paid no later than the date of the pretrial conference. If the trial fee is not paid within two business days of the pretrial conference, the case will be removed from the Court’s trial calendar. A new trial date will then be scheduled upon payment of the trial fee.
Page 3 | Trial Scheduling Order
A $150 trial fee must accompany the Interim Status Report, paid by check to the Prothonotary.
The Interim Status Report is to be filed by Plaintiff(s)’s Counsel with a copy to the assigned Judge, together with a check for the $150.00 trial fee made payable to the “Prothonotary.”
Page 5 | Additional Information and Procedures — Interim Status Report
Courtesy Copy Requirements
One courtesy copy of the motion and one of the response, including exhibits, must be filed in chambers.
One courtesy copy of both the motion and response (with exhibits) must be filed in chambers.
Page 1 | Motions & Briefing
In a Complex Commercial Litigation Division case, parties need provide chambers with only one courtesy copy of each motion, response, or brief, including appendices and compendiums.
Notwithstanding CCLD Standing Order No. 1, the parties need only provide Chambers with one (1) courtesy copy of any motions, responses and briefs (including appendices and compendiums).
Page 1 | Motions & Briefing
A letter need only be electronically docketed, should be emailed to Judge Rennie's staff, and requires no separate courtesy copy for chambers.
A letter to Judge Rennie need only be docketed electronically in the subject case. No courtesy copy need be delivered to Judge Rennie's chambers. Instead, an electronic copy, as docketed, should be transmitted via email to Judge Rennie's Administrative Specialist, Civil Case Manager and Law Clerk.
Page 1 | Communications
Two courtesy copies of a routine-motion response, including exhibits, must be delivered to Judge Rennie’s chambers.
Responses are due no later than 7 calendar days after the filing of the motion and in no case later than the Friday prior to the motion’s hearing, with two courtesy copies of a response (with exhibits) delivered to Judge Rennie in chambers.
Page 5 | Additional Information and Procedures — Routine Civil Motions
The original motion and its response must be filed with the Prothonotary’s Office, and two courtesy copies with exhibits must be delivered to Judge Rennie in chambers.
The original motion and the response thereto shall be filed with the Prothonotary’s Office with two courtesy copies (with exhibits) delivered to Judge Rennie in chambers.
Page 5 | Additional Information and Procedures — Case Dispositive Motions
Routine civil motions are presented on Thursdays at 9:00 a.m., must be filed at least 15 calendar days before presentation, and must be accompanied by two courtesy copies with exhibits for chambers.
Routine Civil Motions. Judge Rennie’s routine civil motions are on Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. Motions must be filed no less than fifteen 15 calendar days prior to the noticed presentation date with two courtesy copies (with exhibits) delivered to Judge Rennie in chambers.
Page 5 | Additional Information and Procedures — Routine Civil Motions
The dispositive motion, response, and reply should be electronically filed, with one courtesy copy promptly delivered to chambers.
The original motion, response, and reply should be e-filed with 1 courtesy copy promptly delivered to chambers.
Page 1 | Motions & Briefing
A courtesy copy of the pretrial stipulation must be delivered or sent by facsimile to chambers by the stated date.
A courtesy copy shall also be delivered or sent by facsimile to chambers by this date.
Page 3 | Trial Scheduling Order
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Motions in limine must be noticed for presentation at the Pretrial Conference and may be resolved there.
Any motions in limine shall be noticed for presentation at the Pretrial Conference and will be resolved (if appropriate) at that time.
Page 2 | Trial Scheduling Order
The Court will likely decide Daubert motions in limine on the paper record.
The Court will likely decide any Daubert type motions in limine on the paper record.
Page 2 | Trial Scheduling Order
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A motion to continue a trial date must be scheduled as a routine motion.
A motion to continue a trial date shall be scheduled as a routine motion.
Page 1 | Motions & Briefing
The court may deny extensions when scheduling-order deadlines are missed without good cause.
Failure to meet deadlines, without good cause, may result in the Court's refusal to allow extensions.
Page 1 | Initial Stages
If all counsel anticipate an imminent settlement, plaintiff's counsel may request postponement of the scheduling conference on behalf of all parties.
After receiving a Scheduling Conference date and time, if all counsel believe that an imminent settlement of the case is likely, Plaintiff's counsel, speaking for all parties, may write the Court requesting the Scheduling Conference's postponement.
Page 1 | Initial Stages
Unless the court orders otherwise, an approved scheduling-conference postponement will continue indefinitely.
Unless ordered otherwise, the conference will be indefinitely postponed.
Page 1 | Initial Stages
A request to continue a trial date must be filed as a routine motion, preferably through a motion rather than a letter or email.
A Motion to Continue a Trial Date is filed as a routine motion. The Court strongly discourages requests for relief submitted in the form of letters or emails. Such requests should be made by motion.
Page 5 | Additional Information and Procedures — Routine Civil Motions
Chambers Communication Rules
Counsel must obtain available oral-argument dates and times through Judge Rennie's Administrative Specialist.
Counsel must obtain possible dates and times for oral argument through Judge Rennie's Administrative Specialist.
Page 1 | Motions & Briefing
A date and time for a case-dispositive motion must be obtained from Judge Rennie’s chambers by calling 255-0048.
Case Dispositive Motions. Case dispositive motions will be scheduled by obtaining a date and time from Judge Rennie’s Chambers which can be reached at 255-0048.
Page 5 | Additional Information and Procedures — Case Dispositive Motions
If the case settles, Plaintiff’s Counsel must immediately notify Judge Rennie’s chambers by email at either of the two listed addresses.
In the event the case settles, Plaintiff’s Counsel shall notify chambers immediately by e-mail to Alisha Ramdoo-Smith at alisha.ramdoo@delaware.gov and Evette Mosley at evette.mosley@delaware.gov.
Page 5 | Additional Information and Procedures — Settlement Negotiations
Plaintiff's counsel should immediately email Judge Rennie's case-management staff when mediation resolves or the case otherwise settles.
If mediation resolves the case or in the event the case settles, Plaintiff's counsel should notify chambers immediately by email to Judge Rennie's Administration Specialist, Civil Case Manager, and Law Clerk.
Page 1 | Initial Stages
Counsel who discovers an omitted related case should promptly notify the Judicial Case Manager for the judge assigned to the new case.
If counsel belatedly realizes that the Case Information Statement(s) omitted reference to another pending case and that the subsequent civil case was assigned to a different judge, please promptly notify the Judicial Case Manager for the judge assigned to the subsequently filed case.
Page 1 | Initial Stages
An attorney who did not sign the complaint or responsive pleading should telephone chambers at least one day before the scheduling conference if that attorney plans to attend.
If counsel other than a signatory of the complaint or the responsive pleading plans to attend, that counsel should notify chambers at least the day before the Scheduling Conference by phone to Judge Rennie's Administrative Specialist.
Page 1 | Initial Stages
Emails should identify the case and civil action number and be addressed to Judge Rennie's staff.
All emails should include the name of the subject case, the civil action number, and should be addressed to Judge Rennie's staff.
Page 1 | Communications
The Administrative Specialist will email counsel or self-represented parties to set a trial date six to eight weeks after answers are filed or default judgment is entered.
Judge Rennie's Administrative Specialist will contact counsel and/or self-represented parties, via email, to set a trial date within 6 to 8 weeks after answers are filed and/or default judgments are entered.
Page 1 | Initial Stages
A party requesting an in-person or telephonic scheduling conference before Judge Rennie should contact his Administrative Specialist.
If any party requests that the scheduling conference be handled in person or telephonically by Judge Rennie, please contact his Administrative Specialist.
Page 1 | Initial Stages