Delaware Code

8 Del. C. § 145 (2026)

Indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents; insurance

✓ current as of May 2026
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(a) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful.

(b) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

(c) (1) To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith. For indemnification with respect to any act or omission occurring after December 31, 2020, references to “officer” for purposes of paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section shall mean only a person who at the time of such act or omission is deemed to have consented to service by the delivery of process to the registered agent of the corporation pursuant to § 3114(b) of Title 10 (for purposes of this sentence only, treating residents of this State as if they were nonresidents to apply § 3114(b) of Title 10 to this sentence).

(2) The corporation may indemnify any other person who is not a present or former director or officer of the corporation against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person to the extent such person has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein.

(d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer of the corporation at the time of such determination:

(1) By a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum; or

(2) By a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum; or

(3) If there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion; or

(4) By the stockholders.

(e) Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director of the corporation in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents of the corporation or by persons serving at the request of the corporation as directors, officers, employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate.

(f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. A right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses arising under a provision of the certificate of incorporation or a bylaw shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to or repeal or elimination of the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought, unless the provision in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such elimination or impairment after such action or omission has occurred.

(g) A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this section. For purposes of this subsection, insurance shall include any insurance provided directly or indirectly (including pursuant to any fronting or reinsurance arrangement) by or through a captive insurance company organized and licensed in compliance with the laws of any jurisdiction, including any captive insurance company licensed under Chapter 69 of Title 18, provided that the terms of any such captive insurance shall:

(1) Exclude from coverage thereunder, and provide that the insurer shall not make any payment for, loss in connection with any claim made against any person arising out of, based upon or attributable to any (i) personal profit or other financial advantage to which such person was not legally entitled or (ii) deliberate criminal or deliberate fraudulent act of such person, or a knowing violation of law by such person, if (in the case of the foregoing paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section) established by a final, nonappealable adjudication in the underlying proceeding in respect of such claim (which shall not include an action or proceeding initiated by the insurer or the insured to determine coverage under the policy), unless and only to the extent such person is entitled to be indemnified therefor under this section;

(2) Require that any determination to make a payment under such insurance in respect of a claim against a current director or officer (as defined in paragraph (c)(1) of this section) of the corporation shall be made by a independent claims administrator or in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (d)(1) through (4) of this section; and

(3) Require that, prior to any payment under such insurance in connection with any dismissal or compromise of any action, suit or proceeding brought by or in the right of a corporation as to which notice is required to be given to stockholders, such corporation shall include in such notice that a payment is proposed to be made under such insurance in connection with such dismissal or compromise.

For purposes of paragraph (g)(1) of this section, the conduct of an insured person shall not be imputed to any other insured person. A corporation that establishes or maintains a captive insurance company that provides insurance pursuant to this section shall not, solely by virtue thereof, be subject to the provisions of Title 18.

(h) For purposes of this section, references to “the corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

(i) For purposes of this section, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this section.

(j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

(k) The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine all actions for advancement of expenses or indemnification brought under this section or under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The Court of Chancery may summarily determine a corporation’s obligation to advance expenses (including attorneys’ fees).

8 Del. C. 1953, §  145;  56 Del. Laws, c. 5056 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  657 Del. Laws, c. 421, §  259 Del. Laws, c. 437, §  763 Del. Laws, c. 25, §  164 Del. Laws, c. 112, §  765 Del. Laws, c. 289, §§  3-667 Del. Laws, c. 376, §  369 Del. Laws, c. 261, §§  1, 270 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  171 Del. Laws, c. 120, §§  3-1177 Del. Laws, c. 14, §  377 Del. Laws, c. 290, §§  5, 678 Del. Laws, c. 96, §  682 Del. Laws, c. 256, § 983 Del. Laws, c. 279, § 184 Del. Laws, c. 42, § 1
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 144 cases (61 in the last 5 years), 1970–2026 · leading case: Sergey Aleynikov v. Goldman Sachs Grp. Inc, 765 F.3d 350 (3rd Cir. 2014).
Sergey Aleynikov v. Goldman Sachs Grp. Inc, 765 F.3d 350 (3rd Cir. 2014). · cites it 3× “Section 145 of the Delaware Code allows business entities to indemnify or provide advancement to an individual involved in a lawsuit by reason of fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, partnership, or other enterprise.”
James River Mgmt. Co., Inc. v. Kehoe, 674 F. Supp. 2d 745 (E.D. Va. 2009). · cites it 4× “30, 2004), in an advancement proceeding, the chancery court explicitly analyzed the “by reason of the fact” language of 8 Del.Code § 145. Noting that this language “is not construed so broadly as to encompass every suit brought against an officer and director,” the court…”
Galdi v. Berg, 359 F. Supp. 698 (D. Del. 1973). · cites it 6× “However, Gray, Dillon, Davis and Power moved for indemnification under 8 Del. C. § 145. After hearing and fully considering the record, the statements of the parties and affidavits filed, the Court on May 30, 1972 entered an order which (1) dismissed Counts I, II, III, IV, VI…”
Boeing North Am., Inc. v. James G. Roche, Sec'y of the Air Force, 298 F.3d 1274 (Fed. Cir. 2002). “” 8 Del. C. § 145(a) & (b) (2000). In total, between 1989 and 1991, Rockwell incurred approximately $4,576,000 of legal fees and costs associated with the Citron action, including costs incurred for representing Rockwell, for representing the director defendants, for legal…”
Norton D. Waltuch v. Conticommodity Servs., Inc. & Cont'l Grain Co., 88 F.3d 87 (2d Cir. 1996). · cites it 2× “Under 8 Del.C. § 145(a) ..., “a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed” derivative or third-party action.”
In Re Oracle Sec. Litig., 829 F. Supp. 1176 (N.D. Cal. 1993). · cites it 2× “Neither Delaware law, 8 Del.C. § 145, nor Oracle's indemnity policy permit indemnification of an officer or director who has been adjudged to have acted in a manner which he reasonably believed to be opposed to Oracle’s interests.”
George S. McLean v. Int'l Harvester Co., 902 F.2d 372 (5th Cir. 1990). · cites it 3× “The statute states: "To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding [in which that individual was involved by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a…”
Chamison v. HealthTrust, Inc.-Hosp. Co., 735 A.2d 912 (Del. Ch. 1999). “The statute (8 Del. C. § 145) requires only that expenses be “actually and reasonably incurred,” which affords this Court discretion to include costs associated with a director’s defense that do not directly contribute to the director’s successful defense.”
Street v. the End of the Road Trust, 386 B.R. 539 (D. Del. 2008). · cites it 2× “2 of the Trust Agreement and 8 Del. C. § 145(e), which the Trust Agreement should be read in conjunction with, provide corporations with permissive authority to grant mandatory advancement to the trustee or employees.”
Maryland Ex Rel. Sachs v. Mid-Atl. Toyota Distributors, Inc., 525 F. Supp. 1265 (D. Maryland 1981). “§ 141(a)], the opportunity to receive interest-free unsecured loans from the corporation [8 Del.C.”
Sandt v. Energy Maint. Servs. Grp. I, LLC, 534 S.W.3d 626 (Tex. App. 2017). “Despite the company agreement that vests the board with the authority to determine whether the conditions for authorizing indemnification have been met, Energy Maintenance contends that the jury’s unfavorable verdict and the judgment against Nesler for fraud disproved his good…”
In Re Summit Metals, Inc., 379 B.R. 40 (Bankr. D. Del. 2007). “2002), permitting the indemnification of expenses incurred by a corporate officer in successfully prosecuting an indemnification suit under 8 Del. C. § 145(a) 8 (Richardson Post-Hr’g Br.”
— 8 Del. C. § 145(a) — 49 cases
Sergey Aleynikov v. Goldman Sachs Grp. Inc, 765 F.3d 350 (3rd Cir. 2014). “Section 145 of the Delaware Code allows business entities to indemnify or provide advancement to an individual involved in a lawsuit by reason of fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, partnership, or other enterprise.”
Boeing North Am., Inc. v. James G. Roche, Sec'y of the Air Force, 298 F.3d 1274 (Fed. Cir. 2002). “” 8 Del. C. § 145(a) & (b) (2000). In total, between 1989 and 1991, Rockwell incurred approximately $4,576,000 of legal fees and costs associated with the Citron action, including costs incurred for representing Rockwell, for representing the director defendants, for legal…”
Norton D. Waltuch v. Conticommodity Servs., Inc. & Cont'l Grain Co., 88 F.3d 87 (2d Cir. 1996). “Under 8 Del.C. § 145(a) ..., “a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed” derivative or third-party action.”
In Re Summit Metals, Inc., 379 B.R. 40 (Bankr. D. Del. 2007). “2002), permitting the indemnification of expenses incurred by a corporate officer in successfully prosecuting an indemnification suit under 8 Del. C. § 145(a) 8 (Richardson Post-Hr’g Br.”
Collins v. Kohlberg & Co. (In Re Sw. Supermarkets, LLC), 376 B.R. 281 (Bankr. D. Ariz. 2007).
— 8 Del. C. § 145(b) — 3 cases
In Re Oracle Sec. Litig., 829 F. Supp. 1176 (N.D. Cal. 1993). “Neither Delaware law, 8 Del.C. § 145, nor Oracle's indemnity policy permit indemnification of an officer or director who has been adjudged to have acted in a manner which he reasonably believed to be opposed to Oracle’s interests.”
Shawn Evans v. Avande, Inc. (Del. Ch. 2022).
— 8 Del. C. § 145(c) — 29 cases
George S. McLean v. Int'l Harvester Co., 902 F.2d 372 (5th Cir. 1990). “The statute states: "To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding [in which that individual was involved by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a…”
Galdi v. Berg, 359 F. Supp. 698 (D. Del. 1973). “However, Gray, Dillon, Davis and Power moved for indemnification under 8 Del. C. § 145. After hearing and fully considering the record, the statements of the parties and affidavits filed, the Court on May 30, 1972 entered an order which (1) dismissed Counts I, II, III, IV, VI…”
Banco Indus. De Venezuela, C.A. v. De Saad, 21 So. 3d 46 (Fla. 3d DCA 2009).
Conway v. Astoria Fin. Corp., 837 A.2d 30 (Del. Ch. 2003).
Merritt-Chapman & Scott Corp. v. Wolfson, 264 A.2d 358 (Del. Super. Ct. 1970).
— 8 Del. C. § 145(c)(1) — 5 cases
— 8 Del. C. § 145(d) — 2 cases
MacMillan, Inc. v. Fed. Ins., 741 F. Supp. 1079 (S.D.N.Y. 1990).
New Wood Resources LLC v. Baldwin (Del. Super. Ct. 2023).
— 8 Del. C. § 145(e) — 29 cases
Sergey Aleynikov v. Goldman Sachs Grp. Inc, 765 F.3d 350 (3rd Cir. 2014). “Section 145 of the Delaware Code allows business entities to indemnify or provide advancement to an individual involved in a lawsuit by reason of fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, partnership, or other enterprise.”
B & B Inv. Club v. Kleinert's, Inc., 472 F. Supp. 787 (E.D. Pa. 1979).
James River Mgmt. Co., Inc. v. Kehoe, 674 F. Supp. 2d 745 (E.D. Va. 2009). “30, 2004), in an advancement proceeding, the chancery court explicitly analyzed the “by reason of the fact” language of 8 Del.Code § 145. Noting that this language “is not construed so broadly as to encompass every suit brought against an officer and director,” the court…”
Street v. the End of the Road Trust, 386 B.R. 539 (D. Del. 2008). “2 of the Trust Agreement and 8 Del. C. § 145(e), which the Trust Agreement should be read in conjunction with, provide corporations with permissive authority to grant mandatory advancement to the trustee or employees.”
Galdi v. Berg, 359 F. Supp. 698 (D. Del. 1973). “However, Gray, Dillon, Davis and Power moved for indemnification under 8 Del. C. § 145. After hearing and fully considering the record, the statements of the parties and affidavits filed, the Court on May 30, 1972 entered an order which (1) dismissed Counts I, II, III, IV, VI…”
— 8 Del. C. § 145(f) — 12 cases
Norton D. Waltuch v. Conticommodity Servs., Inc. & Cont'l Grain Co., 88 F.3d 87 (2d Cir. 1996). “Under 8 Del.C. § 145(a) ..., “a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed” derivative or third-party action.”
— 8 Del. C. § 145(g) — 7 cases
Arch Ins. Co. v. Murdock (Del. Super. Ct. 2018).
— 8 Del. C. § 145(g)(1)(ii) — 1 case
— 8 Del. C. § 145(j) — 1 case
Tangas v. Int'l House of Pancakes, LLC, 298 F. Supp. 3d 1116 (N.D. Ohio 2018).
— 8 Del. C. § 145(k) — 15 cases
Street v. the End of the Road Trust, 386 B.R. 539 (D. Del. 2008). “2 of the Trust Agreement and 8 Del. C. § 145(e), which the Trust Agreement should be read in conjunction with, provide corporations with permissive authority to grant mandatory advancement to the trustee or employees.”
Meyers v. Quiz-Dia LLC (Del. Ch. 2017).
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