Opinion ID: 2276854
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Unforeseen Developments

Text: When this appraisal proceeding was remanded to the Court of Chancery, this Court contemplated that the matter would be decided by the original trial judge. The former Chancellor, however, unexpectedly recused himself sua sponte. Perhaps, that was because he had already decided to conclude his judicial career when his term of office ended. [8] The prospect of having a new hearing in the longest trial in the two hundred year history of the Court of Chancery [9] was a daunting prospect for the successor judge and cause for plangent expressions from the parties. The rulings that are at issue in this interlocutory appeal reflect the good faith effort of the successor judge to accomplish what we have concluded is unattainable: avoid a new trial; delegate the authority for making some preliminary determination to a court-appointed hybrid special appraisal master/independent expert witness; and defer making several key evidentiary rulings. Although we have concluded that the interlocutory judgments of the successor judge must be reversed, it is important to state that our reasons relate to several developments that could not have been reasonably foreseen. First, given the unanticipated fact that the original trial judge is unavailable, this Court must clarify its mandate. Second, during the pendency of the present interlocutory appeal, this Court has written a definitive decision about the proper role for masters in the Court of Chancery. [10] Third, during the pendency of the present interlocutory appeal, this Court has adopted a new Delaware Rule of Evidence that provides for court-appointed expert witnesses. [11] Fourth, subsequent to the original trial in this appraisal proceeding, this Court has approved the Daubert standard for determining the admissibility of all expert testimony on scientific, technical or other specialized matters within the scope of Delaware Rule of Evidence 702. [12]