Is there a limit on the amount of time I can spend in small claims court?
In Delaware, the time limit for small claims court is two hours. This includes the time allotted to arrive at the court hearing, openly present the facts of the case, and to wait until the judge renders a decision. Any parties may request additional time, however, it is up to the judge’s discretion to grant or deny the request. The court also reserves the right to adjourn the hearing at any point and reconvene at a later date. This is usually done so the parties can further discuss the dispute, consider a settlement, or to provide the more time for a ruling. In cases where the parties are unable to reach a resolution, Delaware law states that a judge may spend up to four hours on the case. This includes any time spent discussing the facts of the case and its merits and then making a decision. Overall, the two-hour limit for small claims in Delaware is a hard rule that cannot be exceeded without judicial approval. However, if the case is highly complex, the judge may decide to allocate more time to ensure that the facts of the case are properly considered.
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