This Week in Chancery Court: Prince, Tyson Foods Files, Novo

Lingering issues in the dispute over the management of the legacy of the late musician Prince are poised for resolution in the Delaware Chancery Court this week.

Here’s what else is on the court’s calendar:

Monday: McMillan v. Nelson, Del. Ch., No. 2024-0016, bench ruling 12/8/25.

At issue: Chancellor Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick will deliver a bench ruling on pending motions in a lawsuit over the management of a company overseeing Prince’s assets. She previously ruled that control of Prince Legacy LLC must remain with two of the late musician’s longtime friends, whom Prince’s half-siblings sought to oust as managers. One pending motion seeks summary judgment on a breach of contract claim remaining from the friends’ original lawsuit; they seek nominal damages and attorneys’ fees and expenses.

Court action: Teleconference.

Prince Siblings Lose Bid to Seize Estate Management Company (1)

Monday: In re Emisphere Techs., Inc. S’holders Litig., Del. Ch., No. 2021-0025, bench ruling 12/8/25.

At issue: Vice Chancellor Nathan A. Cook will weigh final approval of a $32 million settlement to end a lawsuit over Novo Nordisk AS‘s $1.8 billion acquisition of technology used in the oral version of the diabetes drug Ozempic. The proposed deal would end claims that Lionsgate chairman Mark Rachesky exploited his control of Emisphere Technologies Inc. to force a sale that steered value to insiders. The Danish drug giant wasn’t named as a defendant. The attorneys who represented the Emisphere shareholders leading the litigation seek a $8.3 million fee award.

Court action: Teleconference.

Novo Agrees to $32 Million Pact Ending Ozempic-Related Deal Case

Monday: Hillblom v. Wilmington Trust Co., Del. Ch., No. 2021-1034, oral arguments 12/8/25.

At issue: Claims leveled by a son of DHL Worldwide Express founder Larry Hillblom against the trustee managing his inheritance went to trial in July before Vice Chancellor Morgan T. Zurn, who now will hear post-trial arguments. Wells Lory Hillblom claimed Wilmington Trust Co. cost him $1.1 million by mishandling his inheritance. Zurn allowed Hillblom’s lawsuit to advance in 2022 after finding it was plausible for the trustee to be liable for failing to update Hillblom as it disputed fees with the law firm that established his parentage. The trust allegedly ended up paying the firm $1.4 million after ignoring a $300,000 settlement offer.

Court action: The post-trial hearing will be held in Wilmington, Del.

Son of DHL Founder Lost at Sea Advances Claims Against Trustee

Monday: Roth v. Sotera Health Co., Del. Ch., No. 2022-1192, oral arguments 12/8/25.

At issue: Vice Chancellor Lori W. Will previously determined a former Sotera Health Co. vice president, Kurt Roth, wasn’t entitled to severance benefits or an equitable accounting of his past shares in the health care service provider. The parties went to trial in July over remaining claims that Sotera’s CEO forced Roth to choose between forfeiting equity and accepting a demotion and pay cut, and now it’s time for Will to hear post-trial arguments. When Roth resigned, he refused to sign a release that was a condition for receiving severance under his employment agreement.

Court action: The post-trial hearing will be held in Wilmington, Del.

Sotera Health Beats Some of Former Executive’s Stock Claims

Tuesday: Castagna v. Tyson Foods, Inc., Del. Ch., No. 2025-0941, trial 12/9/25.

At issue: A Tyson Foods Inc. shareholder seeks to inspect internal company records related to potential animal welfare issues and worker safety concerns at its chicken farms and processing plants. The shareholder’s claims involve alleged violations of Virginia animal welfare laws by the owner of a farm contracted with Tyson Farms Inc. to raise broiler chickens, according to a joint pre-trial brief. No charges against Tyson have been brought in connection with the Virginia farm owner’s case.

Court action: A half-day trial will be held in Dover, Del.

DOJ Closed Meat Probe Just Before Trump’s Investigation Demand

Thursday: Funicular Funds LP v. Concord Acquisition Corp., Del. Ch., No. 2022-1173, settlement hearing 12/11/25.

At issue: Vice Chancellor Paul A. Fioravanti Jr. will consider final approval of a settlement to end a proposed class action that accused Concord Acquisition Corp.'s backers of giving themselves a $20 million “consolation prize” after the collapse of the SPAC’s planned combination with Circle Internet Financial Ltd., a blockchain infrastructure company. The proposed deal was reached shortly before trial was scheduled to start in September. The total value of the settlement is about $16.7 million, including $3.7 million in cash and over 130,000 shares of Circle stock valued at approximately $13 million.

Court action: A settlement hearing will be held in Wilmington, Del.

Hedge Fund Accuses Concord SPAC Backers of Pocketing Breakup Fee

—With assistance from Bloomberg Law Automation.