47 Delaware opinions name it 3 courts 1952–2026 21 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.
| Case | Followed | Cited |
|---|---|---|
Marshall v. Hillgreen2 sentences2023June 1, 2004) (cleaned up). 41 Hill161 and adopted by the Supreme Court of Delaware in Rollins Int’l v. Int’l Hydronics Corp.162 For a complaint to constitute an actual case or controversy: (1) It must be a controversy involving the rights or other legal relations of the party seeking declaratory relief; (2) it must be a controversy in which the claim of right or other legal interest is asserted against one who has an interest in contesting the claim; (3) the controversy must be between parties whose interests are real and adverse; [and] (4) the issue involved in the controversy must be ripe f 1990We approve the prerequisites of an ‘actual controversy’ spelled out in Marshall v. Hill, 8 Terry 478, 481 , 93 A.2d 524, 525 (Del.Super., 1952): (1) It must be a controversy involving the rights or other legal relations of the party seeking declaratory relief; (2) it must be a controversy in which the claim of right or other legal interest is asserted against one who has an interest in contesting a claim; (3) the controversy must be between parties whose interests are real and adverse; (4) the issue involved in the controversy must be ripe for judicial determination. | 8 | 10 |
XL Specialty Insurance v. WMI Liquidating Trustgreen2 sentences2023Co. v. WMI Liquidating Tr., 93 A.3d 1208, 1217 (Del. 2014) (citing Stroud v. Milliken Enter., Inc., 552 A.2d 476, 479 (Del. 1989)). 12 controversy involving the rights or other legal relations of the party seeking declaratory relief; (2) it must be a controversy in which the claim of right or other legal interest is asserted against one who has an interest in contesting the claim; (3) the controversy must be between parties whose interests are real and adverse; and (4) the issue involved in the controversy must be ripe for judicial determination.54 The City has met all four necessary condition 2022C. § 6501, and then quoting Stroud, 552 A.2d at 479 ). 22 (1) It must be a controversy involving the rights or other legal relations of the party seeking declaratory relief; (2) it must be a controversy in which the claim of right or other legal interest is asserted against one who has an interest in contesting the claim; (3) the controversy must be between parties whose interests are real and adverse; (4) the issue involved in the controversy must be ripe for judicial determination.77 As explained above, a dispute is not ripe “where the claim is based on uncertain and contingent events that m | 8 | 9 |
Rollins International, Inc. v. International Hydronics Corp.green2 sentences2022For the case or controversy requirement to be satisfied: (1) [The case] must be a controversy involving the rights or other legal relations of the party seeking declaratory relief; (2) it must be a controversy in which the claim of right or other legal interest is asserted against one who has an interest in contesting the claim; (3) the controversy must be between parties whose interests are real and adverse; [and] (4) the issue involved in the controversy must be ripe for judicial determination. 34 Rollins Int’l, Inc. v. Int’l Hydronics Corp., 303 A.2d 660 , 662–63 (Del. 1973). 2022C. § 6501. 134 Stroud v. Milliken Enters., 552 A.2d 476, 479-80 (Del. 1989) (explaining that an “actual controversy” exists if it “involve[s] the rights or other legal relations of the party seeking declaratory relief . . . [is] a controversy in which the claim of right or other legal interest is asserted against one who has an interest in contesting the claim . . . [is] between parties whose interests are real and adverse . . . [and] the issue involved in the controversy [is] ripe for judicial determination” (quoting Rollins Intern. v. Int’l Hydronics Corp., 303 A.2d 660, 662-63 (Del. 1973))) | 7 | 15 |
Stroud v. Milliken Entersprises, Inc.green2 sentences2023Co. v. WMI Liquidating Tr., 93 A.3d 1208, 1217 (Del. 2014) (citing Stroud v. Milliken Enter., Inc., 552 A.2d 476, 479 (Del. 1989)). 12 controversy involving the rights or other legal relations of the party seeking declaratory relief; (2) it must be a controversy in which the claim of right or other legal interest is asserted against one who has an interest in contesting the claim; (3) the controversy must be between parties whose interests are real and adverse; and (4) the issue involved in the controversy must be ripe for judicial determination.54 The City has met all four necessary condition 2022C. § 6501. 84 Stroud v. Milliken Enters., 552 A.2d 476, 479-80 (Del. 1989) (explaining that an “actual controversy” exists if it “involve[s] the rights or other legal relations of the party seeking declaratory relief . . . [is] a controversy in which the claim of right or other legal interest is 15 An actual controversy exists in this case because the parties dispute whether Feiler (or AHJ&R) is a member of USApparel based on events that occurred in December 2021. 5high contends that it is entitled to a declaration that it is the sole member of USApparel for two reasons. | 7 | 10 |
Schick Inc. v. Amalgamated Clothing & Textile Workers Uniongreen2 sentences2026Co. v. WMI Liquidating Trust, 93 A.3d 1208, 1216 (Del. 2014). 37 In re COVID-Related Restrictions on Religious Servs., 326 A.3d 626 , 642- 43 (Del. 2024) (quoting Rollins Int'l v. Int'l Hydronics Corp., 303 A.2d 660, 662-63 (Del. 1973)). 38 Id. 39 Schick Inc. v. Amalgamated Clothing & Textile Workers Union, 533 A.2d 1235, 1239 (Del. 2021I at 8 (defining Net Income by reference to taxable income with enumerated adjustments). 93 Schick, Inc. v. Amalgamated Clothing & Textile Workers Union, 533 A.2d 1235, 1241 (Del. | 2 | 3 |
Town of Cheswold v. Central Delaware Business Parkgreen2 sentences2023Park, 188 A.3d 810, 816 (Del. 2018)). -56- litigation, but rather, would waste judicial resources.”251 Prior to entertaining a declaratory judgment action, the Court must first make a threshold determination that an “actual controversy” exists.252 An “actual controversy” has four elements: (1) It must be a controversy involving the rights or other legal relations of the party seeking declaratory relief; (2) it must be a controversy in which the claim of right or other legal interest is asserted against one who has an interest in contesting the claim; (3) the controversy must be between parties 2023Park, 188 A.3d 810, 816 (Del. 2018)). -56- litigation, but rather, would waste judicial resources.”251 Prior to entertaining a declaratory judgment action, the Court must first make a threshold determination that an “actual controversy” exists.252 An “actual controversy” has four elements: (1) It must be a controversy involving the rights or other legal relations of the party seeking declaratory relief; (2) it must be a controversy in which the claim of right or other legal interest is asserted against one who has an interest in contesting the claim; (3) the controversy must be between parties | 2 | 2 |
Stabler v. Ramsaygreen2 sentences2014C. § 6501. 103 See Stabler v. Ramsay, 88 A.2d 546, 549 (Del. 1952) (concluding that there was no actual controversy regarding the devolution of property pursuant to a will, even though the parties expressed “a difference of opinion as to the effect of certain legal instruments,” because “consent[] to jurisdiction is immaterial” to a ripeness inquiry). 104 XL Specialty Ins. 1952See Stabler v. Ramsay, supra; 16 Am. | 2 | 2 |
Heathergreen Commons Condominium Ass'n v. Paulgreen2 sentences2022Ass’n v. Paul, 503 A.2d 636, 645 (Del. 2015Id. (quoting Rollins International, Inc. v. International Hydronics Corp., 303 A.2d 660, 662 (Del.1973); Ackerman v. Stemerman, 201 A.2d 173, 175 (Del.1964)). (1) It must be a controversy involving the rights or other legal relations of the party seeking declaratory relief; (2) it must be a controversy in which the claim of right or other legal interest is asserted against one who has an interest in contesting the claim; (3) the controversy must be between parties whose interests are real and adverse; (4) the issue involved in the controversy must be ripe for judicial determination.FN13 FN13. | 1 | 2 |
Ramunno v. Cawleygreen1 sentence2026This Court has the discretion to issue a declaratory judgment provided the case involves an “actual controversy.”34 Four elements need to be satisfied in order to determine an actual controversy is present: (1) It must be a controversy involving the rights or other legal relations of the party seeking declaratory relief; (2) it must be a controversy in which the claim of right or other legal interest is asserted against one who has an interest in contesting the claim; (3) the controversy must be between parties whose interests are 30 Id. 31 Id. 32 Ramunno v. Cawley, 705 A.2d 1029, 10345 (Del. | 1 | 1 |
Dana Corp. v. LTV Corp.green1 sentence2025Declaratory Relief ATP also seeks two forms of declaratory relief: a declaration that ATP’s filing of this action does not violate the Exculpation Provision and is consistent with the Discretionary-Action Provision of the LPA, and a declaration that parties have not amended the Global Default Provision.398 Declaratory relief “is appropriate only if there is an actual controversy between the parties.”399 The Delaware Supreme Court has articulated four prerequisites for to an “actual controversy”: (1) It must be a controversy involving the rights or other legal relations of the party seeking dec | 1 | 1 |
In re Peierls Family Inter Vivos Trustsgreen1 sentence2023See Guy, 2021 WL 471438 , at *3 (“Where a court is asked to grant declaratory judgment, it cannot do so unless there exists an actual controversy, even if the parties agree or consent to conferring jurisdiction upon the Court.”); In re Peierls Family Inter Vivos Trusts, 59 A.3d 471, 477 (Del. | 1 | 1 |
Trustees of Dartmouth College v. Woodwardgreen1 sentence2022The first claim concerns whether certain acts taken by the defendants were invalid, given 135 Trs. of Dartmouth Coll. v. Woodward, 17 U.S. (4 Wheat.) 518, 636 (1819). 136 Prairie Cap. | 1 | 1 |
Merritt v. United Parcel Servicegreen1 sentence2020An actual controversy exists where four criteria are satisfied: (1) It must be a controversy involving the rights or other legal relations of the party seeking declaratory relief; (2) it must be a controversy in which the claim of right or other legal interest is asserted against one who has an interest in contesting the claim; (3) the controversy must be between parties whose interests are real and adverse; (4) the issue involved in the controversy must be ripe for judicial determination.” 50 See AT&T Corp. v. Lillis, 953 A.2d 241, 257 (Del. 2008) (“The scope of a judicial admission by counse | 1 | 1 |
At&T CORP. v. Lillisgreen1 sentence2020An actual controversy exists where four criteria are satisfied: (1) It must be a controversy involving the rights or other legal relations of the party seeking declaratory relief; (2) it must be a controversy in which the claim of right or other legal interest is asserted against one who has an interest in contesting the claim; (3) the controversy must be between parties whose interests are real and adverse; (4) the issue involved in the controversy must be ripe for judicial determination.” 50 See AT&T Corp. v. Lillis, 953 A.2d 241, 257 (Del. 2008) (“The scope of a judicial admission by counse | 1 | 1 |
Ackerman v. Stemermangreen2 sentences2015Id. (quoting Rollins International, Inc. v. International Hydronics Corp., 303 A.2d 660, 662 (Del.1973); Ackerman v. Stemerman, 201 A.2d 173, 175 (Del.1964)). (1) It must be a controversy involving the rights or other legal relations of the party seeking declaratory relief; (2) it must be a controversy in which the claim of right or other legal interest is asserted against one who has an interest in contesting the claim; (3) the controversy must be between parties whose interests are real and adverse; (4) the issue involved in the controversy must be ripe for judicial determination.FN13 FN13. 2015Id. (quoting Rollins, 303 A.2d at 662-63 ). | 1 | 1 |
Desert Equities, Inc. v. Morgan Stanley Leveraged Equity Fund, II, L.P.green2 sentences2015C. § 6501, Delaware courts are authorized to entertain declaratory judgment actions provided that an “actual controversy” exists between the parties. 19 For an “actual controversy” to exist, four prerequisites must be satisfied: (1) It must be a controversy involving the rights or other legal relations of the party seeking declaratory relief; (2) it must be a controversy in which the claim of right or other legal interest is asserted against one who has an interest in contesting the claim; (3) the controversy must be between the parties whose interests are real and adverse; (4) the issue invol 2015C. § 6501, Delaware courts are authorized to entertain declaratory judgment actions provided that an “actual controversy” exists between the parties. 19 For an “actual controversy” to exist, four prerequisites must be satisfied: (1) It must be a controversy involving the rights or other legal relations of the party seeking declaratory relief; (2) it must be a controversy in which the claim of right or other legal interest is asserted against one who has an interest in contesting the claim; (3) the controversy must be between the parties whose interests are real and adverse; (4) the issue invol | 1 | 1 |
Guy v. Judicial Nominating Commissiongreen1 sentence2015See also FS Parallel Fund, L.P. v. Ergen, 879 A.2d 602 (Del. 2005); Guy v. Judicial Nominating Comm’n, 659 A.2d 777, 786 (Del. | 1 | 1 |
LaPoint v. AmerisourceBergen Corp.green1 sentence2014R. 56 (c). 37 LaPoint v. AmerisourceBergen Corp., 970 A.2d 185, 191 (Del. 2009). 38 See Kingsbridge Capital Gp. | 1 | 1 |
In re Ethel F. Peierls Charitable Lead Unitrustgreen1 sentence2013Rollins Int’l Inc. v. In’l Hydronics Corp., 303 A.2d 660, 662-63 (Del.1973). .In re Ethel F. Peierls Charitable Lead Unitrust, 59 A.3d 464, 469 (Del.Ch.2012) (citing Gannett Co., Inc. v. Bd. Of Managers of the Del. | 1 | 1 |
Stabler v. Ramsaygreen1 sentence1956See Stabler v. Ramsay, 32 Del. | 1 | 1 |
| Case | Negative | Cited |
|---|---|---|
| No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Delaware. Read the followed side critically anyway. | ||
| Case | Cited | Years |
|---|---|---|
Doe v. Cahill
green
2 sentences2026This Court has the discretion to issue a declaratory judgment provided the case involves an “actual controversy.”34 Four elements need to be satisfied in order to determine an actual controversy is present: (1) It must be a controversy involving the rights or other legal relations of the party seeking declaratory relief; (2) it must be a controversy in which the claim of right or other legal interest is asserted against one who has an interest in contesting the claim; (3) the controversy must be between parties whose interests are 30 Id. 31 Id. 32 Ramunno v. Cawley, 705 A.2d 1029, 10345 (Del. 2026This Court has the discretion to issue a declaratory judgment provided the case involves an “actual controversy.”34 Four elements need to be satisfied in order to determine an actual controversy is present: (1) It must be a controversy involving the rights or other legal relations of the party seeking declaratory relief; (2) it must be a controversy in which the claim of right or other legal interest is asserted against one who has an interest in contesting the claim; (3) the controversy must be between parties whose interests are 30 Id. 31 Id. 32 Ramunno v. Cawley, 705 A.2d 1029, 10345 (Del. | 2 | 2026–2026 |
Asarco Inc. v. Kadish
green
1 sentence2024Case or Controversy Before a court may adjudicate a dispute and determine whether relief— including declaratory relief—is warranted, it must have a justiciable controversy before it.120 The judiciary’s power to issue a declaratory judgment “is limited by the well-settled principle that a declaratory judgment must ‘address an actual controversy between parties with affected rights.’”121 In Rollins Int’l v. Int’l Hydronics Corp., we adopted a four-part test to determine whether a case or controversy exists: (1) It must be a controversy involving the rights or other legal relations of the party s | 1 | 2024–2024 |
Aeroglobal Capital Management, LLC v. Cirrus Industries, Inc.
green
1 sentence2024Ch. 2021) (quoting AeroGlobal, 871 A.2d at 444 ) (internal quotation marks omitted). 400 Javice v. JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., 2023 WL 4561017 , at *4 (Del. | 1 | 2024–2024 |
Crescent/Mach I Partners L.P. v. Dr Pepper Bottling Co.
green
1 sentence2024Case or Controversy Before a court may adjudicate a dispute and determine whether relief— including declaratory relief—is warranted, it must have a justiciable controversy before it.120 The judiciary’s power to issue a declaratory judgment “is limited by the well-settled principle that a declaratory judgment must ‘address an actual controversy between parties with affected rights.’”121 In Rollins Int’l v. Int’l Hydronics Corp., we adopted a four-part test to determine whether a case or controversy exists: (1) It must be a controversy involving the rights or other legal relations of the party s | 1 | 2024–2024 |
Storer v. Brown
green
1 sentence2023Union, 442 U.S. 289 , 300 n.12 (1979) (“There is value in adjudicating election challenges notwithstanding the lapse of a particular election because ‘[t]he construction of the statute, an understanding of its operation, and possible constitutional limits on its application, will have the effect of simplifying future challenges, thus increasing the likelihood that timely filed cases can be adjudicated before an election is held.’” (alteration in original) (quoting Storer v. Brown, 415 U.S. 724 , 737 n.8 (1974))). 61 Typically, the Court would consider any argument based on the first three pron | 1 | 2023–2023 |
Babbitt v. United Farm Workers National Union
green
1 sentence2023Union, 442 U.S. 289 , 300 n.12 (1979) (“There is value in adjudicating election challenges notwithstanding the lapse of a particular election because ‘[t]he construction of the statute, an understanding of its operation, and possible constitutional limits on its application, will have the effect of simplifying future challenges, thus increasing the likelihood that timely filed cases can be adjudicated before an election is held.’” (alteration in original) (quoting Storer v. Brown, 415 U.S. 724 , 737 n.8 (1974))). 61 Typically, the Court would consider any argument based on the first three pron | 1 | 2023–2023 |
Foltz v. Pullman, Incorporated
green
1 sentence1995Based on Foltz, 319 A.2d 38 , the Superior Court found that all four of these criteria are met in the controversy at bar. | 1 | 1995–1995 |
In re the Claims of Rinaldi
green
2 sentences1982Even more persuasive in resolving the controversy at bar is Claims of Rinaldi, N.Y.Supr., App.Div., 281 A.D. 1051 , 121 N.Y.S.2d 155 (1953), a case which involved a business organization supplying to its clients’ office workers on a parttime basis. 1982Even more persuasive in resolving the controversy at bar is Claims of Rinaldi, N.Y.Supr., App.Div., 281 A.D. 1051 , 121 N.Y.S.2d 155 (1953), a case which involved a business organization supplying to its clients’ office workers on a parttime basis. | 1 | 1982–1982 |
Counted by distinct opinions that both name this issue and are annotated to the section; sections every opinion cites regardless of issue are not filtered here, so read the counts against the total above.
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.