clear and convincing evidence standard (Delaware) · Go Syfert
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clear and convincing evidence standard in Delaware

9 Delaware opinions name it 4 courts 1982–2025 5 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Delaware courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (12)

CaseFollowedCited
Tonnessen v. Denver Publishing Co.green
coloctapp · 2000 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025Co., 5 P.3d 959, 964 (Colo. App. 2000); see Wilson, 126 P.3d at 280 (“A reporter or publisher must be allowed to convey statements that members of the public would have heard had they attended the public proceeding.”); Meeker v. Post Printing & Pub.

11
Wilson v. Meyergreen
coloctapp · 2005 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025Co., 5 P.3d 959, 964 (Colo. App. 2000); see Wilson, 126 P.3d at 280 (“A reporter or publisher must be allowed to convey statements that members of the public would have heard had they attended the public proceeding.”); Meeker v. Post Printing & Pub.

11
Morgan v. Wellsgreen
delch · 1951 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 2023–2023
1 sentence

2023Specific performance is therefore unavailable to the plaintiff unless it is “excused from performance of that obligation.”37 The plaintiff maintains that its failure to close is excused because Associates could not deliver a marketable title due to the lockout.38 It avers that the closing date should be extended until the lockout’s expiration.39 But it is not reasonably conceivable, based on the allegations in the Complaint, that Associates prevented Apartments from closing by March 10. 35 Morgan v. Wells, 80 A.2d 504, 506 (Del.

11
Savor, Inc. v. FMR Corp.green
del · 2002 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 2023–2023
1 sentence

2023Jan. 16, 2008); Savor, Inc. v. FMR Corp., 812 A.2d 894, 896-97 (Del. 2002) (setting forth the operative reasonable conceivability standard). 34 Pulieri, 2015 WL 691449 , at *6 (determining at the pleadings stage that the plaintiff would be unable to meet the clear and convincing evidence standard to obtain specific performance). 2022-0325-SEM August 30, 2023 Page 9 of 14 the time of performance is expressly made of the essence of a contract, a plaintiff must have performed his part of the contract within the specified time if he is to be entitled to specific performance.”35 “When time is of th

11
Global Reinsurance Corp. v. Equitas Ltdgreen
ny · 2012 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 2023–2023
1 sentence

2023Reinsurance Corp. U.S. Branch v. Equitas Ltd., 969 N.E.2d 187, 195 (N.Y. 2012). 50 Id. at 8-9.

11
Rolex Watch v. Crowleygreen
ca6 · 1996 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 2021–2021
2 sentences

2021See TR Investors, 2009 WL 4696062 , at *15 n.53 (citing Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc. v. Crowley, 74 F.3d 716, 720 (6th Cir. 1996) and F.T.C. 99 Id.

2021See TR Investors, 2009 WL 4696062 , at *15 n.53 (citing Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc. v. Crowley, 74 F.3d 716, 720 (6th Cir. 1996) and F.T.C. 99 Id.

11
DiSabatino v. Salicetegreen
del · 1996 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 2021–2021
1 sentence

2021In Delaware, “[t]he sanction of imprisonment can be imposed for either civil or criminal contempt of court.” DiSabatino v. Salicete, 671 A.2d 1344, 1350 (Del. 1996). 24 v. Affordable Media, 179 F.3d 1228, 1239 (9th Cir. 1999)). 101 Since then, this court has regularly applied the clear and convincing evidence standard, almost invariably relying upon TR Investors.

11
Federal Trade Commission v. Affordable Media, LLCgreen
ca9 · 1999 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 2021–2021
1 sentence

2021In Delaware, “[t]he sanction of imprisonment can be imposed for either civil or criminal contempt of court.” DiSabatino v. Salicete, 671 A.2d 1344, 1350 (Del. 1996). 24 v. Affordable Media, 179 F.3d 1228, 1239 (9th Cir. 1999)). 101 Since then, this court has regularly applied the clear and convincing evidence standard, almost invariably relying upon TR Investors.

11
CERBERUS INTERN. LTD. v. Apollo Mgmt. LPgreen
del · 2002 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 2018–2018
2 sentences

2018Oct. 23, 2002)). 284 “The clear and convincing evidence standard requires evidence that produces in the mind of the trier of fact an abiding conviction that the truth of [the] factual contentions [is] highly probable.” Hudak v. Procek, 806 A.2d 140, 147 (Del. 2002) (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting Cerberus Int’l, Ltd. v. Apollo Mgmt., L.P., 794 A.2d 1141, 1151 (Del. 2002)).

2018“To establish proof by clear and convincing evidence means to prove something that is highly probable, reasonably certain, and free from serious doubt.” Id. (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting Del.

11
Hudak v. Procekgreen
del · 2002 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 2018–2018
1 sentence

2018Oct. 23, 2002)). 284 “The clear and convincing evidence standard requires evidence that produces in the mind of the trier of fact an abiding conviction that the truth of [the] factual contentions [is] highly probable.” Hudak v. Procek, 806 A.2d 140, 147 (Del. 2002) (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting Cerberus Int’l, Ltd. v. Apollo Mgmt., L.P., 794 A.2d 1141, 1151 (Del. 2002)).

11
Powell v. Department of Services for Children, Youth & Their Familiesgreen
del · 2008 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 2016–2016
1 sentence

2016C. § 2412(a)(2)(d). 29 See Powell v. Dep’t of Servs. for Children, Youth & Their Families, 963 A.2d 724, 738 (Del. 2008), as corrected (Dec. 23, 2008) (“Although this particular paragraph in the opinion does not include the phrase ‘clear and convincing evidence,’ it is apparent from the opinion in its totality that the court made its findings . . . under the clear and convincing evidence standard.”). 30 Fam.

11
Cruzan Ex Rel. Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Healthgreen
scotus · 1990 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 1995–1995
2 sentences

1995The Court acknowledged that competent persons may generally refuse medical treatment even at the risk of death, because the “right to self-determination ordinarily outweighs any countervailing state interests....” Id. at 273, 110 S.Ct. at 2848 . 4 Nevertheless, the Court concluded that, in determining the proper balance between those competing interests after a person becomes incompetent, “a State may apply a clear and convincing evidence standard in proceedings where a guardian seeks to discontinue nutrition and hydration of a person diagnosed to be in a persistent vegetative state.” Id. at 2

1995The Court acknowledged that competent persons may generally refuse medical treatment even at the risk of death, because the “right to self-determination ordinarily outweighs any countervailing state interests....” Id. at 273, 110 S.Ct. at 2848 . 4 Nevertheless, the Court concluded that, in determining the proper balance between those competing interests after a person becomes incompetent, “a State may apply a clear and convincing evidence standard in proceedings where a guardian seeks to discontinue nutrition and hydration of a person diagnosed to be in a persistent vegetative state.” Id. at 2

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Delaware. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (6)

CaseCitedYears
KT4 Partners LLC v. Palantir Technologies, Inc. green
del · 2019
1 sentence

2025The court has noted before that some discovery about what types of books and records exist and who has them is helpful in ruling on Section 220 demands,179 but an exacting interpretation of 178 See, e.g., KT4 P’rs., 203 A.3d at 754–55 (“Books and records actions are not supposed to be sprawling, oxymoronic lawsuits with extensive discovery.

12025–2025
Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the State of Florida v. Wellington Precious Metals, Inc., Daniel Weiss green
ca11 · 1992
2 sentences

2021Br.”) 29. 22 Unlike our state court system, federal courts consistently apply the clear and convincing evidence standard to motions for civil contempt. 98 In Commodity Futures Trading Commission v. Wellington Precious Metals, Inc., 950 F.2d 1525 (11th Cir. 1992), the Eleventh Circuit explained that the burden of proof to establish civil contempt of an order may be different than the burden that was required to prove the necessity of that order, which in that case was a preponderance of the evidence at trial.

2021Wellington, 950 F.2d at 1528 .

12021–2021
Genger v. TR INVESTORS, LLC green
del · 2011
1 sentence

2021Dec. 9, 2009), aff’d, 26 A.3d 180 (Del. 2011), the court applied the clear and convincing evidence standard, relying on federal authority.

12021–2021
Warnick v. State green
del · 2018
1 sentence

2021Heartland also relies on the Delaware Supreme Court’s affirmance of Family Court decisions that applied the clear and convincing evidence standard. 102 101 Because this court determined that the higher standard had been met, there was no occasion to raise the issue on appeal, and the Supreme Court did not address it. 102 E.g., Layton v. Layton, 196 A.3d 413 (Del. 2018) (TABLE); Peyton v. Peyton, 152 A.3d 582 (Del. 2016) (TABLE); Sparks v. Matthews, 83 A.3d 738 (Del. 2013) (TABLE).

12021–2021
Peyton v. Peyton neutral
del · 2016
1 sentence

2021Heartland also relies on the Delaware Supreme Court’s affirmance of Family Court decisions that applied the clear and convincing evidence standard. 102 101 Because this court determined that the higher standard had been met, there was no occasion to raise the issue on appeal, and the Supreme Court did not address it. 102 E.g., Layton v. Layton, 196 A.3d 413 (Del. 2018) (TABLE); Peyton v. Peyton, 152 A.3d 582 (Del. 2016) (TABLE); Sparks v. Matthews, 83 A.3d 738 (Del. 2013) (TABLE).

12021–2021
Patricia A.F. v. James R.F. green
del · 1982
1 sentence

1982Therefore, I see no reason in light of Santosky, supra, and Patricia A.F.V. v. James R.F., supra, for modifying in any respect my factual conclusions and/or order terminating petitioners’ parental rights over the child in question. 1 .

11982–1982

Where else courts name it

TN 374 (1996–2026) TX 306 (1980–2026) CA 247 (1948–2026) OH 185 (1987–2026) PA 115 (1983–2026) NY 101 (1980–2026) OR 97 (1981–2026) AL 81 (1979–2026) MI 79 (1978–2026) IN 64 (1983–2026) FL 62 (1974–2025) IL 58 (1977–2026) NM 52 (1982–2026) DC 49 (1981–2025) CT 47 (1986–2025) AK 44 (1983–2025) KS 40 (1979–2026) GA 37 (1984–2021) OK 35 (1995–2024) LA 35 (1991–2025) MD 34 (1976–2021) AZ 33 (1969–2026) CO 30 (1982–2025) MN 29 (1987–2025) VT 29 (1983–2026) ME 28 (1984–2024) NJ 28 (1979–2021) IA 24 (1982–2025) WA 24 (1986–2026) UT 22 (1951–2024) MO 21 (1992–2025) NC 18 (1983–2024) WI 18 (1967–2025) NV 16 (1986–2025) VA 16 (1995–2022) SD 15 (1975–2011) MA 13 (1984–2026) ND 13 (1986–2026) MS 13 (1989–2024) HI 11 (1963–2026) ID 11 (1975–2024) KY 11 (1986–2025) DE 9 (1982–2025) RI 8 (1989–2026) WY 7 (1986–2022) NE 7 (1993–2024) MT 7 (1997–2021) WV 6 (2019–2026) AR 5 (1979–2016) VI 4 (2013–2025) NH 4 (2011–2025) SC 2 (2001–2015)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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