District of Delaware to Continue Operations During Shutdown

On January 16, 2019, the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware released a Notice regarding Court operations during the current lapse in appropriations.

Although the Administrative Office of the United States Courts has advised that funding for Fiscal Year 2019 will be exhausted on Friday, January 25, the Court will “remain open and operational without disruption” after that date, “including by conducting jury trials and other criminal and civil proceedings.” The Court will also continue to accept new cases and electronically filed documents via CM/ECF.

Consistent with a separate “Shutdown Order” issued on January 16, the Court has determined that all judicial officers and staff are “essential” to maintain “a very busy and complex docket” and, therefore, judicial staff and other employees of the Court are “required to report to work consistent with their normal schedules.” Court personnel will not be compensated after January 25, however, until appropriations have been enacted.

Each judicial officer will continue to have discretion “to manage his or her own docket, which may or may not include granting requests for stays or other relief.” The Notice and Shutdown Order are also subject to future modifications.

Read the Court’s full notice and shutdown order here.