Title: Proctor v. Foraker/DCSE

State: delaware

Issuer: Delaware Supreme Court

Document:

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE 
 
RONALD E. PROCTOR, JR., 
 
Petitioner Below, 
Appellant, 
 
v. 
 
HELEN J. FORAKER/DCSE, 
 
Respondent Below, 
Appellee. 
 
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No. 565, 2005  
 
 
Court Below─Family Court 
of the State of Delaware, 
in and for Kent County 
File No. CK94-3895 
Submitted:  March 3, 2006 
Decided:  April 3, 2006 
 
Before STEELE, Chief Justice, HOLLAND, and JACOBS, Justices. 
 
O R D E R 
 
This 3rd day of April 2006, it appears to the Court that: 
(1) 
On February 3, 2006, a Notice to Show Cause was issued to appellant 
Ronald E. Proctor, Jr., directing him to show cause why this appeal should not be 
dismissed, pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 29(b), for his failure to diligently 
prosecute the appeal by not filing his opening brief and appendix.  Rather than 
responding to the Notice to Show Cause, Mr. Proctor filed a Motion under Rule 15(b) 
requesting an extension of time to file his brief.  Mr. Proctor’s stated reason for 
needing an extension was that the Court had not “ordered” the transcript that he had 
requested in his previously filed amended notices of appeal. 
 
 
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(2) 
On February 27, 2006, the Clerk’s office received a copy of a letter from 
the Clerk of Family Court to Mr. Proctor advising him that the cost of the transcript 
that he requested was due to be paid to Family Court by March 6, 2006.  This Court 
has confirmed with the Clerk of Family Court that payment was not made. 
(3) 
On March 3, 2006, the Court denied Mr. Proctor’s request for an 
extension of time to file his brief.  Because Mr. Proctor’s opening brief and appendix 
have not been filed as required by Supreme Court Rule 15, this Court is unable to 
conduct a meaningful review.  In light of Mr. Proctor’s failure to diligently prosecute 
the appeal by not filing his opening brief and appendix, the dismissal of this action is 
appropriate pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 29(b). 
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 
29(b), that the appeal is DISMISSED. 
BY THE COURT: 
/s/ Myron T. Steele 
Chief Justice