As we’ve discussed previously, it is imperative that a stockholder making a books and records demand under Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL) comply with all statutory requirements. The recent decision of Martin Floreani et al. v. FloSports, Inc., C.A. No. 2023-0684-LM (Del. Ch. Oct. 31, 2024) underscores this
Section 220 of the DGCL
An Updated Primer on Delaware Books and Records Demands Pursuant to Section 220 of the DGCL
By Carl D. Neff on
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…
Confidentiality Order Requirement in Delaware Books and Records Actions Clarified by Supreme Court
By Carl D. Neff on
A question often arises as to whether a party making a books and records demand under 8 Del. C. § 220 must enter into a confidentiality agreement in order to inspect responsive documents of the corporation.
The Delaware Supreme Court, in the decision of Tiger v. Boast Apparel, Inc., 214 A.3d 933 (Del. Aug.
Delaware Chancery Holds that Merger Caused Stockholder to Lose Standing to Pursue Section 220 Books and Records Demand
By Carl D. Neff on
In the recent decision of Swift v. Houston Wire & Cable Co., C.A. No. 2021-0525-LWW (Del. Ch. Dec. 3, 2021), the Delaware Court of Chancery considered whether a plaintiff lacked standing to inspect a Delaware corporation’s books and records under 8 Del. C. § 220 when the complaint was filed just hours after a…
Corporation May Not Rely Upon Deficient Stock Ledger to Deny Section 220 Demand When it was Aware of Plaintiff’s Status as a Stockholder
By Carl D. Neff on
In the recent decision of Knott Partners L.P. v. Telepathy Labs, Inc., C.A. No. 2021-0583-SG (Del. Ch. Nov. 23, 2021), the Delaware Court of Chancery analyzed to what extent a corporation opposing a Section 220 books and records demand may rely upon its stock ledger to deny the demand.
Vice Chancellor Glasscock held…
Delaware Supreme Court Hands Down Important Books and Records Opinion; Limits Several Commonly Raised Defenses
By Carl D. Neff on
The Delaware Supreme Court recently handed down a significant decision implicating several common defenses raised to a books and records demand made under Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. The opinion is AmerisourceBergen Corporation v. Lebanon County Employees Retirement Fund, No. 60, 2020 (Del. Supr. Dec. 10, 2020).
The decision is an…
Delaware Court of Chancery Holds that Internal Affairs Doctrine Governs Books and Records Demand; Applies Delaware Law Instead of California Corporations Code
By Carl D. Neff on
Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a stockholder or director to make a books and records against a corporation incorporated in Delaware, regardless of where the corporation conducts its business. Yet many jurisdictions have their own inspection statutes, some of which govern not only entities incorporated or formed in that state, but…