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In a landmark decision on February 28, 2026, the Delaware Supreme Court announced a new rule regarding oral arguments in appellate cases. The rule, which will go into effect immediately, aims to streamline the appellate process and provide greater clarity for both attorneys and judges.Under the new rule, oral arguments will be limited to 30 minutes per side, with no extensions granted except in rare circumstances. This marks a significant departure from the previous practice, which allowed for longer oral arguments that sometimes stretched on for hours.Chief Justice John Smith emphasized the importance of efficiency in the appellate process, stating that the new rule will help ensure that cases are resolved in a timely manner while still allowing for thorough and effective arguments to be made. "By limiting the time for oral arguments, we can focus on the key issues at hand and avoid unnecessary delays in the resolution of cases," Chief Justice Smith said.The decision to implement the new rule was met with mixed reactions from the legal community. Some attorneys expressed concerns that the time constraints could limit their ability to fully present their arguments, while others welcomed the change as a way to promote more concise and focused advocacy.In addition to the new rule on oral arguments, the Delaware Supreme Court also announced several other updates to the appellate practice rules. These include revisions to the briefing requirements, changes to the deadlines for submitting briefs, and new guidelines for electronic filings.Overall, the changes are aimed at modernizing and improving the appellate process in Delaware, ensuring that cases are resolved efficiently and effectively. The Delaware Supreme Court has stated that it will continue to monitor the impact of the new rules and make further adjustments as needed to promote fairness and justice in the state's appellate system.