Ch. VII: Judgment · Current through June 1, 2026 · Last verified September 9, 2026
In one sentenceRule 54 defines a judgment as any order from which an appeal lies, and governs when a decision on fewer than all the claims becomes final.
(a)Definition. “Judgment” as used in these Rules includes any order from which an appeal lies.
(b)Judgment Upon Multiple Claims. When more than one claim for relief is presented in an action, whether as a claim, counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim, the Court may direct the entry of a final judgment upon one or more but fewer than all of the claims or parties only upon an express determination that there is no just reason for delay and upon an express direction for the entry of judgment. In the absence of such determination and direction, any order or other form of decision, however designated, which adjudicates fewer than all the claims or the rights and liabilities of fewer than all the parties shall not terminate the action as to any of the claims or parties and the order or other form of decision is subject to revision at any time before the entry of judgment adjudicating all the claims and the rights and liabilities of all the parties.
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Plain-English Summary
The definition. “Judgment” as used in these rules includes any order from which an appeal lies. A short sentence that does a lot of work: every rule about judgments — entry, stays, relief, new trials — is read through it.
Multiple claims. Where more than one claim for relief is presented — as a claim, counterclaim, cross-claim or third-party claim — the rule governs when the court may direct entry of a final judgment on fewer than all of them, and what happens if it does not.
The consequence of getting that wrong is the reason the rule exists. A decision that resolves some claims but is not certified as final is not appealable, and a party who waits for the rest of the case may find the appeal window was open all along, or that it never opened at all. The rule fixes which.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a judgment in the Delaware Family Court?
Any order from which an appeal lies.
Can I appeal a decision on only part of my case?
Where more than one claim for relief is presented, Rule 54 governs when the court may direct entry of a final judgment on fewer than all the claims.
Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Delaware Family Court Rules of Civil Procedure (Fam. Ct. Civ. R. 54), and every rule has been checked word for word against the Delaware Family Court’s own published edition of these rules. Current through June 1, 2026. The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified September 9, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:what is a judgment Delaware Family Courtpartial final judgment DelawareFam. Ct. Civ. R. 54