# Del. J.P. Ct. Civ. R. 3: Rule 3. Commencement of action

> Delaware · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DE_DEJPCIV_R3

## Section

- **Citation:** Del. J.P. Ct. Civ. R. 3
- **Heading:** Rule 3. Commencement of action
- **Jurisdiction:** Delaware
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Delaware Court Rules / Justice of the Peace Court / Justice of the Peace Court Civil Rules / Del. J.P. Ct. Civ. R. 3

## Text

(a) Commencement. -- A civil action is commenced by filing a complaint and praecipe
with the Court in such form as the Court prescribes. Sufficient copies of the complaint shall be
filed so that one copy can be served on each defendant. When an action is governed by a
special statute, it shall be commenced in the manner prescribed by such statute.
(b) Venue for civil landlord/tenant actions involving possession. --
(1) Civil actions brought pursuant to 25 Del. C. § 5702 shall be initiated in the
county in which the rental property that is subject of the action is located. For northern New
Castle County, north of a line described in subparagraph (2) below, all such actions shall be
filed at Justice of the Peace Court #13 (Wilmington). For southern New Castle County, south
of a line described in subparagraph (2) below, all such actions shall be filed at Justice of the
Peace Court #9 (Middletown). For Kent County, all such actions shall be filed at Justice of the
Peace Court #16 (Dover). For Sussex County, all such actions shall be filed at Justice of the
Peace Court #17 (Georgetown).
(2) The line dividing New Castle County venue shall be as follows: Beginning at a
point on the centerline of U.S. Route 40, traveling east to the centerline of the right of way of
the Norfolk Southern rail line (Reynolds Industrial Line), thence south and east along that right
of way to the easternmost point of the line, thence east to the Delaware River.
(3) The Chief Magistrate may, as conditions require, designate a temporary
successor location or alternative location for these filings.
(c) Omitted.
(d) Omitted.
(e) Deposit for costs. -- The clerk shall not file any paper or record or docket any
proceeding, including any third party complaint, until the required deposit for costs and fees
has been made in accordance with Civil Rule 77(h)(3) or the filer has been granted permission
to file in forma pauperis pursuant to Rule 112.

## Nearby sections

- [Del. J.P. Ct. Civ. R. 1 Rule 1. Scope of Rules](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DE_DEJPCIV_R1.md)
- [Del. J.P. Ct. Civ. R. 2 Rule 2. One form of action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DE_DEJPCIV_R2.md)
- [Del. J.P. Ct. Civ. R. 3 Rule 3. Commencement of action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DE_DEJPCIV_R3.md)
- [Del. J.P. Ct. Civ. R. 4 Rule 4. Process](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DE_DEJPCIV_R4.md)
- [Del. J.P. Ct. Civ. R. 5 Rule 5. Service and filing of pleadings and other papers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DE_DEJPCIV_R5.md)
- [Del. J.P. Ct. Civ. R. 6 Rule 6. Time](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DE_DEJPCIV_R6.md)
- [Del. J.P. Ct. Civ. R. 7 Rule 7. Pleadings allowed; motions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DE_DEJPCIV_R7.md)
- [Del. J.P. Ct. Civ. R. 8 Rule 8. General rules of pleading](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DE_DEJPCIV_R8.md)
- [Del. J.P. Ct. Civ. R. 9 Rule 9. Pleadings and special matters](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DE_DEJPCIV_R9.md)
- [Del. J.P. Ct. Civ. R. 10 Rule 10. Form of pleadings, motions and other papers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DE_DEJPCIV_R10.md)
- [Del. J.P. Ct. Civ. R. 11 Rule 11. Signing of pleadings, motions, and other papers: representations to Court, sanctions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DE_DEJPCIV_R11.md)
- [Del. J.P. Ct. Civ. R. 12 Rule 12. Defenses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DE_DEJPCIV_R12.md)
- [Del. J.P. Ct. Civ. R. 13 Rule 13. Counterclaims and cross-claims](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DE_DEJPCIV_R13.md)
- [Del. J.P. Ct. Civ. R. 14 Rule 14. Third-party practice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DE_DEJPCIV_R14.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_DE_DEJPCIV_R3. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.