Delaware LLC & Partnership Law Update – November 2010

In three recent decisions, the Delaware Court of Chancery addressed important issues in connection with the restructuring of publicly traded alternative entities. The issues addressed included fiduciary duties and the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

Delaware Amends Unclaimed Property/Escheat Laws

Enacted in July 2010, 77 Del. Laws, c. 417 (the “Act”) represents a significant development in the area of unclaimed property administration in Delaware. The Act has three main components: (1) changes to the procedures related to the manner in which unclaimed property assessments are prosecuted; (2) a declaration that “uninvoiced payables” will not be considered escheatable property; and (3) provisions related to the State Escheator’s power to use estimation techniques to determine unclaimed property liability.

Lambrecht v. O’Neal: Delaware Supreme Court Clarifies Standing Requirements for Maintaining a “Double Derivative” Suit Under Delaware Law

In Lambrecht v. O’Neal, No. 135, 2010, 3 A.3d 277 (Del. Aug. 27, 2010), the Delaware Supreme Court answered a certified question of law submitted by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Southern District Court”). In this en banc opinion, the Delaware Supreme Court clarified the standing requirements for maintaining a “double derivative” suit under Delaware law.