Lien of Commission Merchant, Factor and Carrier

Del. Code tit. 25, ch. 35

in effect

Del. Code tit. 25, § 3501 Enforcement by public sale; nature of sale.

In all cases in which commission merchants, factors and all common carriers or other persons have a lien under existing laws upon any goods, wares, merchandise or other personal property for or on account of the costs or expenses of carriage, storage or labor bestowed on such goods, wares, merchandise or other personal property, if the owner or consignee of the property fails or neglects or refuses to pay the amount of charges upon any such property, goods, wares or merchandise, within 60 days after demand thereof, made personally upon such owner or consignee or at such owner’s or consignee’s last known place of residence, then in such case the commission merchant, factor, common carrier or other person having such lien may, after the expiration of the period of 60 days, expose the goods, wares, merchandise or other personal property to sale at public auction and sell the same, or so much thereof as is sufficient to discharge the lien together with costs of sale and advertising. Notice of the sale, together with the name of the person to whom the goods have been consigned, shall first be published for 3 successive weeks in a newspaper published in the county and by 6 written or printed handbills, put up in the most public and conspicuous places in the vicinity of the depot where the goods are located.

Del. Code tit. 25, § 3502 Notice in special cases; jurisdiction of justices of the peace in cases of perishable property.

Upon the application of any of the persons or corporations having a lien upon goods, wares, merchandise or other property, as mentioned in § 3501 of this title verified by affidavit, to any judge of the Superior Court or to the Court of Chancery setting forth that the place of residence of the owner or consignee of any such goods, wares, merchandise or other property is unknown or that such goods, wares, merchandise or other property are of such a perishable nature or so damaged or showing any other cause that renders it impracticable to give the notice as required in § 3501 of this title, then, in such case, the judge hearing such application may make an order, to be signed by such judge, authorizing the sale of such goods, wares, merchandise or other property upon such terms as to notice as the nature of the case may admit of and to such judge seems proper. In cases of perishable property, the affidavit and proceedings required by this section may be had before a justice of the peace.

Del. Code tit. 25, § 3503 Disposition of proceeds of sale.

The residue of moneys arising from any sales, either under § 3501 or § 3502 of this title, after deducting the amount of the lien together with costs of advertising and sales, shall be held subject to the order of the owner of the property.

Source: DE Code (Official Site)URL: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title25/c035/index.htmlFetched: 10/4/2026