HB372 • 2025

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURTS.

Children

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Lynn
Last action: 2026-04-21
Official status: House Judiciary 4/21/26
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on the impact of these changes on daily court operations and public access to justice.

Changes to Justice of the Peace Courts

This bill updates Delaware's laws about how Justice of the Peace courts work by changing the number of justices and court locations.

What This Bill Does

Increases the number of justices in Kent County from 13 to 16.
Reduces the number of justices in New Castle County, excluding Wilmington, from 29 to 27.
Reduces the number of justices in Sussex County from 19 to 18.
Changes court locations in New Castle County, excluding Wilmington, from 5 to 3.
Changes court locations in Sussex County from 5 to 4.

Who It Names or Affects

Justice of the Peace courts in Delaware
People who use these courts

Terms To Know

Justice of the Peace Court: A local court that handles minor cases and some civil matters.

Limits and Unknowns

The exact number of justices and court locations will change based on the updates to Title 10 of the Delaware Code.
It is not clear how these changes will affect daily operations or public access to justice in each county.

Bill History

2026-04-21 Delaware General Assembly
Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURTS.
This Act updates the Code to reflect the current needs and court operations of the Justice of the Peace Court. This Act increases the number of the justices of the peace in Kent County, which will be the only State County where 24-hour hearings will take place, and reduces the number of justices in other counties. This Act also reduces the number of courts in New Castle County, excluding Wilmington, from 5 to 3 and in Sussex County from 5 to 4.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Lynn & Sen. Seigfried

Reps. Carson, Dukes, Phillips, Wilson-Anton; Sen. Pinkney

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 372

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend § 9203, Title 10 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 9203. Number of justices of the peace in each county.

In the counties of this State there shall be no more than the following number of justices of the peace:

(1) In New Castle County,

29.

27.

(2) In Kent County,

13.

16.

(3) In Sussex County,

19.

18.

Section 2. Amend § 9204, Title 10 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 9204. Place of holding courts.

The Justice of the Peace Court shall hold court in at least 1 place in Wilmington,

places in the remainder of New Castle County, 3 places in Kent County, and

places in Sussex County, and in such other places as from time to time shall be designated in the rules.

Section 3. Amend § 9205, Title 10 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 9205. Court hours.

Each of the places where Court is held shall be open at such times as shall be provided by the rules; provided, however, that

in each county

there shall be at least 1 court available at all times. The Court may hear and determine any case within its jurisdiction during the time the Court is open.

SYNOPSIS

This Act updates the Code to reflect the current needs and court operations of the Justice of the Peace Court. This Act increases the number of the justices of the peace in Kent County, which will be the only State County where 24-hour hearings will take place, and reduces the number of justices in other counties. This Act also reduces the number of courts in New Castle County, excluding Wilmington, from 5 to 3 and in Sussex County from 5 to 4.