The recent amendments to Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL) are, in a word, significant. These amendments fundamentally shift how stockholders can access corporate books and records. The changes, which came through Senate Bill 21 enacted on March 25, 2025, attempt to strike a balance between stockholder rights and corporate efficiency—but
Delaware Court Blocks Stockholder’s Attempt to Use Appraisal Rights as a Section 220 Workaround
In a noteworthy decision from the Delaware Court of Chancery, Vice Chancellor Morgan T. Zurn dismissed a stockholder’s attempt to use an appraisal petition as an alternative method to obtain corporate books and records.
What struck me most about this opinion is the court’s thorough analysis of the statutory distinctions between Sections 220 and 262.
Valuation Victory for Insurance Broker: Delaware Court Awards $416K in Partnership Dispute
I just read an interesting Delaware Court of Chancery decision in Walker v. FRP Investors GP. This is a post-trial opinion from Vice Chancellor Zurn that offers some interesting insights into Delaware partnership agreements and valuation disputes.
The case involves Cornelius “Cory” Walker, who helped build an insurance brokerage company that entered a lucrative
Chancery Grants Conditional Stay of Delaware Books and Records Appeal
I’ve been following this case closely, and I think the Court of Chancery’s ruling offers a perfect illustration of Delaware’s pragmatic approach to books and records disputes. In a recent decision, the Delaware Court of Chancery addressed the standards for staying a books and records production order pending appeal. Vice Chancellor David’s opinion in Bruch
Safeguarding Vision: The Critical Importance of Founder Protection Clauses
I’ve seen it happen time and again in the high-stakes world of venture capital and startup growth—brilliant founders suddenly finding themselves pushed to the sidelines of their own companies. One minute you’re the visionary CEO, the next you’re being shown the door by the very investors you brought in. As funding rounds pile up and
An Updated Primer on Delaware Books and Records Demands Pursuant to Section 220 of the DGCL
Delaware stockholders and directors have an important tool in their arsenal to obtain information from a Delaware corporation: Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”). The statute confers standing upon stockholders or directors to demand inspection of the books and records of a Delaware corporation. 8 Del. C. § 220.
This post will
Delaware Supreme Court Rejects Confidentiality Restrictions of Section 220 Demand Inspection
In the decision of James Rivest v. Hauppauge Digital, Inc., No. 442, 2022 (Del. July 10, 2023), the Delaware Supreme Court considered the extent to which a Delaware corporation’s production of books and records under Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law should be subject to confidentiality restrictions.
Background
James Rivest was a
Delaware Court of Chancery Denies Plaintiff’s Request for Additional Books and Records in Section 220 Demand
In the recent decision of Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System v. Amazon.com, Inc., C.A. No. 2021-1484-LWW (Del. Ch. Jun. 1, 2022) (Mem. Op.), the Court of Chancery denied Plaintiff’s Section 220 request to demand additional inspection of Amazon’s books and records, finding that Plaintiff had not set forth a proper purpose for its
Plaintiff Held Responsible for Receivership Fees in Section 220 Books and Records Action
In the decision of Badr Abdelhameed Dhia Jafar v. Vatican Challenge 2017 LLC, C.A. No. 2020-0151-SG, 2022 WL 365142 (Del. Ch. Feb. 8, 2022) (Letter Op.), the Delaware Court of Chancery held the Plaintiff, a member of the Defendant LLC, responsible for the fees accrued by an appointed Receiver during her oversight of records
Delaware Court of Chancery Denies Petition to Appoint Custodian to Revive Publicly Registered Shell Company as a Blank Check Company
In the recent decision of In re Forum Mobile, Inc., C.A. No. 2020-0346-JTL (Del. Ch. Feb. 3, 2022), the Delaware Court of Chancery denied a petition to appoint a custodian under 8 Del. C. § 226(a)(3) where petitioner sought to take a defunct corporation whose shares are traded over the counter to use as