In the recent opinion of Stream TV Networks, Inc. v. SeeCubic, Inc., C.A. No. 2020-0310-JTL (Del. Ch. Dec. 8, 2020) (Laster, V.C.), Vice Chancellor Laster invoked over a century-long development of Delaware corporate jurisprudence to support his ruling that the assets of a 3D television technology company can be transferred to secured creditors, notwithstanding
Delaware Chancery Grants Books and Records Demand; Revises Fee-Shifting Award on Remand
In a brief and short letter opinion of Durham v. Grapetree, LLC, Civil Action No. 2018-0174-SG (Del. Ch. Oct. 8, 2020), Vice Chancellor Glasscock ruled upon a pro se litigant’s books and records demand after it was remanded to the Court of Chancery on appeal. The plaintiff attached a number of books and records
New Confer in Good Faith Requirement Added to Rule 30(b)(6)
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 30(b)(6) now includes a confer-in-good-faith requirement. The amendment addresses perceived deficiencies in the Rule 30(b)(6) process, including inadequately prepared witnesses and deficient notices. To address these challenges, the rule makers concluded that requiring lawyers to address such issues in advance will increase clarity and resolution.
The new amendment provides as
Chancery Permits Amendment to Books and Records Complaint; Disapproves of Rule 11 Rhetoric
In a short and pithy letter opinion, the Delaware Court of Chancery granted leave to a party to amend its complaint in a books and records action where plaintiff initially asserted it was a record stockholder, and then amended to state it was a beneficial stockholder. POSCO Energy Co., Ltd. v. FuelCell Energy, Inc.,
What Remedies are Available in a DGCL Section 273 Joint Venture Dissolution Action?
In a prior post, we discussed the standards required to obtain relief under Section 273 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”), i.e. (i) that a Delaware corporation has two 50/50 stockholders, (ii) that the company is engaged in a joint venture, and (iii) the 50/50 stockholders are unable to agree as to whether
Delaware Judiciary Extends Emergency Until Oct. 5, 2020; Unveils Plan to Resume Trials In October
On Friday, September 4, 2020, the Delaware Supreme Court released a plan to restart jury trials in October, 2020, while extending the current judicial emergency an additional 30 days until October 5, 2020. The Chief Justice likewise issued Administrative Order No. 10 memorializing the same.
According to the notice, the resumption of jury trials
Court Denies Motion to Seal Entirety of TRO Hearing
In a short, one-page order, the Court of Chancery denied a motion by defendants to seal the entirety of an upcoming TRO hearing, in the case of Searchlight CST, L.P. v. MediaMath Holdings, Inc., C.A. No. 2020-0652-SG (Del. Ch. Aug. 24, 2020). Vice Chancellor Glasscock ruled that the “Court does not conduct public
Delaware Judicial Emergency Extended for Another 30 Days
Today, the Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court issued Administrative Order No. 9, which extends Delaware’s Judicial Emergency for another 30 days, effective August 7, 2020. Per the Administrative Order, the Delaware courts will continue to operate under Phase 2.
Citing the “national trend of increasing virus spread, new quarantine requirements by other
Delaware Court of Chancery Permits Validation of Defective Act Under Section 205 of the DGCL; Failure of Authorization Distinguished from Absence of Corporate Power
In a rare decision pertaining to Section 205 of the DGCL handed down today by the Delaware Court of Chancery, Applied Energetics, Inc. v. Farley, et al., C.A. No. 2018-0489-JTL (Del. Ch. Aug. 3, 2020), Vice Chancellor Laster granted summary judgment in favor of a plaintiff who challenged a defective board action, as result
Stockholder Seeking Books and Records Need Not Prove an End-Use for Valuation of Shares
It is well established that when a stockholder of a Delaware corporation makes a books and records demand under Section 220 of the DGCL, the stockholder must state a proper purpose for the requested books and records. “Valuation of a stockholder’s investment in a corporation, particularly where the corporation is privately held, has long