IN THE [COURT NAME]* OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
[// GUIDANCE: Select “Superior Court” for actions primarily seeking money damages and a jury trial; select “Court of Chancery” for equitable or injunctive relief. You may also plead in the alternative under 10 Del. C. § 342 by asking Chancery to transfer monetary claims to Superior Court if necessary.]
Civil Action No.: ____
[PLAINTIFF NAME],
a [State] [corporation/LLC/individual],
Plaintiff,
v.
[DEFENDANT NAME],
a [State] [corporation/LLC/individual],
Defendant.
COMPLAINT FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT
[// GUIDANCE: This template follows notice-pleading requirements under Del. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 8 & 10. Customize brackets and remove guidance before filing.]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Document Header & Caption
- Definitions
- Parties
- Jurisdiction & Venue
- Factual Allegations
- Cause of Action – Breach of Contract
- Damages & Prayer for Relief
- Jury Demand (If Applicable)
- Conditions Precedent / Compliance with Contractual Dispute Procedures
- Reservation of Rights
- Certification & Rule 11 Statement
- Verification (Optional/If Required)
- Signature Block
1. DOCUMENT HEADER & CAPTION
(See above.)
2. DEFINITIONS
For clarity and consistency in this pleading, the following capitalized terms have the meanings assigned below:
“Agreement” means the [TITLE OF CONTRACT], dated [DATE], by and between Plaintiff and Defendant.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday in the State of Delaware.
“Effective Date” means [DATE Agreement became effective].
“Obligations” means all duties, promises, and performance requirements imposed on Defendant under the Agreement.
[Add/Remove Defined Terms as needed.]
3. PARTIES
3.1 Plaintiff. Plaintiff [PLAINTIFF NAME] (“Plaintiff”) is a [describe entity type and jurisdiction of formation] with its principal place of business at [ADDRESS].
3.2 Defendant. Defendant [DEFENDANT NAME] (“Defendant”) is a [describe entity type and jurisdiction of formation] with its principal place of business at [ADDRESS].
[// GUIDANCE: If seeking personal jurisdiction over an out-of-state defendant, add contacts with Delaware sufficient to satisfy Del. long-arm statute, 10 Del. C. § 3104.]
4. JURISDICTION & VENUE
4.1 Subject-Matter Jurisdiction. This Court has subject-matter jurisdiction pursuant to [cite Court’s enabling statute, e.g., 10 Del. C. § 541 for Superior Court; 10 Del. C. § 341 for Chancery].
4.2 Personal Jurisdiction. Defendant is subject to personal jurisdiction in Delaware because [choose all that apply]:
a. Defendant is incorporated/organized under Delaware law;
b. Defendant transacted business in Delaware relating to the Agreement;
c. Defendant consented to jurisdiction in the Agreement;
d. Other: [specify].
4.3 Venue. Venue is proper in this County pursuant to 10 Del. C. § [specify] because [reasons].
5. FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS
5.1 On the Effective Date, Plaintiff and Defendant executed the Agreement. A true and correct copy is attached as Exhibit A.
5.2 Under the Agreement, Defendant agreed to:
a. [Obligation 1];
b. [Obligation 2];
c. etc. (collectively, the “Obligations”).
5.3 Plaintiff fully performed, or stood ready, willing, and able to perform, all of its material obligations under the Agreement.
5.4 Beginning on or about [DATE], Defendant failed to perform the Obligations by:
a. [Specific breach 1];
b. [Specific breach 2]; and
c. [Specific breach 3].
5.5 Plaintiff provided written notice of default to Defendant on [DATE] pursuant to Section [] of the Agreement and afforded the contractual []-day cure period. Defendant failed to cure.
5.6 As a direct and proximate result of Defendant’s breaches, Plaintiff has sustained damages in an amount to be proven at trial but not less than $[AMOUNT].
[// GUIDANCE: For injunctive relief, add facts showing irreparable harm and inadequacy of monetary damages.]
6. CAUSE OF ACTION – BREACH OF CONTRACT
6.1 Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference Paragraphs 1 through 5.6 as if fully set forth herein.
6.2 The Agreement is a valid and enforceable contract.
6.3 Plaintiff performed all, or was excused from performing, its obligations.
6.4 Defendant materially breached the Agreement by failing to perform the Obligations described above.
6.5 Defendant’s breach caused Plaintiff to suffer foreseeable damages, including but not limited to: lost profits, out-of-pocket expenses, interest, and attorneys’ fees as provided in Section [__] of the Agreement.
6.6 Plaintiff is entitled to recover its actual damages, pre- and post-judgment interest at the contractual rate of [__]% per annum (or the legal rate under 6 Del. C. § 2301), and any other relief the Court deems just and proper.
7. DAMAGES & PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that the Court enter judgment in its favor and award:
A. Compensatory damages in an amount to be determined at trial, but not less than $[AMOUNT];
B. Pre- and post-judgment interest;
C. Specific performance and/or preliminary and permanent injunctive relief compelling Defendant to [perform/cease] as required by the Agreement;
D. Costs of suit, including reasonable attorneys’ fees as permitted by contract or law; and
E. Such further relief as the Court deems just and equitable.
8. JURY DEMAND (If Applicable)
Pursuant to Del. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 38(b), Plaintiff demands a trial by jury on all issues so triable.
[// GUIDANCE: Omit if filing in Chancery or if the Agreement contains an enforceable jury-trial waiver.]
9. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT / DISPUTE PROCEDURE COMPLIANCE
All conditions precedent to filing this action have occurred, been performed, or been waived, including satisfaction of any mandatory mediation, negotiation, or notice-and-cure provisions in the Agreement.
10. RESERVATION OF RIGHTS
Plaintiff reserves the right to amend this Complaint to add additional claims, parties, or damages as discovery progresses, consistent with Del. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 15.
11. CERTIFICATION & RULE 11 STATEMENT
Undersigned counsel certifies that to the best of his/her knowledge, information, and belief, formed after an inquiry reasonable under the circumstances, this pleading is not being presented for any improper purpose and the claims are warranted by existing law or a good-faith argument for extension, modification, or reversal thereof, in compliance with Del. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 11.
12. VERIFICATION (Optional/If Required)
I, [NAME OF REPRESENTATIVE], being duly sworn, depose and say that I am the [TITLE] of Plaintiff and that I have read the foregoing Complaint and know the contents thereof, and that the same are true to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
[Name]
[Title]
SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED before me
this ___ day of __ 20.
Notary Public
My Commission Expires: ______
13. SIGNATURE BLOCK
Respectfully submitted,
[ATTORNEY NAME] (Bar No. _____)
[LAW FIRM NAME]
[Address]
[Phone] | [Email]
Attorney for Plaintiff
Dated: ____, 20__
EXHIBIT A
[Attach fully executed copy of the Agreement]
ADDITIONAL PRACTICE NOTES
[// GUIDANCE:
1. Service of Process – Follow Del. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 4. Personal service by sheriff is standard; consider requesting special process server for efficiency.
2. Discovery – Superior Court default limits: 30 interrogatories (incl. subparts) and 30 requests for admission per party; local practices vary. Tailor early case-management orders accordingly.
3. Early Settlement – Consider filing a “Rule 16.1” scheduling order requesting mediation.
4. E-Filing – All pleadings must be filed through File & ServeXpress; register clients and ensure email notifications are functioning.
]
END OF TEMPLATE