District of Delaware Continues All Jury Trials Scheduled to Begin Before April 30 and Issues Additional Guidance Regarding Other Proceedings

The U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware remains open during the coronavirus outbreak, but the Court issued a new Standing Order today continuing jury selections and jury trials scheduled to begin before April 30, 2020. Jury proceedings affected by the Order will be reset by further order of the assigned judge.

The Standing Order also states that all scheduling orders and deadlines otherwise remain in effect unless modified by further order of the Court, and that the judges may continue to schedule and hold hearings, conferences, and bench trials, but the Order encourages the conduct of proceedings, including ADR, by telephone or videoconference when practicable.

The new directive comes one day after the Court issued a Standing Order restricting access to the courthouse for those who have been exposed to the virus, have had close contact with someone exposed to the virus, or are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness, and just a few days after the Court suspended the submission of courtesy paper copies unless otherwise instructed.

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