{"data":{"id":"us-de/13-del.-c.-1516","jurisdiction":"us-de","citation":"13 Del. C. § 1516","heading":"Hearings; use of masters; impoundment; assignment of counsel.","body":"(a) All hearings and trials shall be private, but for reasons appearing sufficient to the Court any hearing or trial may be opened to any person who has a direct and legitimate interest in the particular case, or a legitimate educational or research interest in the work of the Court.\n(b) A judge or commissioner, sitting without a jury, shall conduct all hearings and trials where there is a contest, and in those proceedings that are uncontested.\n(c) Whenever it seems appropriate, in the interest of justice, the Court may designate a disinterested attorney to defend, or otherwise participate in, a proceeding before the Court, and a fee for such attorney shall be taxed as part of the costs.\n(d) No record or evidence in any case shall be impounded or access thereto refused.","path":["Title 13. Domestic Relations","CHAPTER 15. Divorce and Annulment"],"source_url":"https://delcode.delaware.gov/title13/c015/index.html#1516","current_through":"2026-08-10 (85 Del. Laws, c. 421, 424)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-05T23:02:17Z","sha256":"08dbbe58b0b50b745f441093424e4b3aa9e3a673e68400a2c3a9c64e849f3461","source_id":"us-de","stale":true,"prev":"us-de/13-del.-c.-1515","next":"us-de/13-del.-c.-1517"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}