Delaware Administrative Code
Title 4 - Alcoholic Beverage Control
Department of Safety and Homeland Security
Office of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner
900 - Trade Practices for Suppliers, Wholesales, and Retailers
901 - (Formerly Rule 46) A Governing the Contractual Relationships Between Suppliers and Wholesalers for the Distribution of Alcoholic Beverages
Section 901-5.0 - Procedure for Involuntary Termination or Transfer

Universal Citation: 4 DE Admin Code 901-5.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 3, September 1, 2024

5.1 Any licensed supplier which desires to terminate involuntarily the distribution rights of a licensed wholesaler or to transfer such rights from one licensed wholesaler to another shall submit a written request to the Commissioner at least sixty days prior to the proposed termination or transfer date.

5.1.1 Upon written request, a copy of which shall be provided to the affected wholesaler, the sixty-day notice provision may be waived by the Commissioner if the reason for the requested termination or transfer is the insolvency of the wholesaler, the occurrence of an assignment for the benefit of the wholesaler's creditors, the bankruptcy of the wholesaler, the dissolution or liquidation of the wholesaler, the cancellation, revocation, nonrenewal or suspension for more than thirty consecutive days of the wholesaler's license, or, if the supplier can otherwise establish to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that compliance with the sixty day notice requirement would cause it to suffer irreparable harm.

5.1.2 The requirement of this section that the supplier provide the Commissioner with a written request to terminate or transfer distribution rights is applicable to, and includes, those circumstances whereby the supplier has obtained the rights to supply such alcoholic beverages in Delaware by means of a merger, purchase of stock, purchase of assets, or other acquisition, or by otherwise becoming a new regional or national supplier of such products. Any supplier obtaining such rights to supply alcoholic beverages in Delaware does so subject to the existing distribution arrangement and rights existing in Delaware with respect to such beverages.

5.2 The written request to terminate or transfer distribution rights required by subsection 5.1 shall include all of the following information:

5.2.1 The name and address of the existing wholesaler from which the supplier seeks to withdraw the distribution rights, and the name(s) and address(es) of the wholesaler(s) upon which the distribution rights are sought to be conferred;

5.2.2 The reason and basis for the request; and,
5.2.2.1 In the event that good cause is relied upon for such termination or transfer, a summary of the facts giving rise to the assertion of good cause; or

5.2.2.2 In the event that good cause is not the basis for the request, the agreement to pay compensation and to abide by arbitration, if necessary, as provided by this Rule, together with a-representation that the request does not violate any of the terms of the distribution agreement with the existing wholesaler.

5.3 If good cause is the basis for the request to terminate or transfer distribution rights, the supplier shall provide a copy of the notice required by subsection 5.2 by certified mail, return receipt requested, to any wholesaler affected by its request. Any adversely affected wholesaler may oppose the request by sending written notice of its opposition to the Commissioner by certified mail, return receipt requested, within twenty days after receipt of its copy of the supplier's request. A copy of the notice of opposition shall also be sent to the supplier and any other affected wholesaler(s). The failure to file a timely notice of opposition with the Commissioner shall waive the wholesaler's right to oppose the request to terminate or transfer distribution rights. If the Commissioner receives timely notice of opposition to a request to terminate or transfer distribution rights for good cause, the Commissioner shall hold a hearing to consider the request and the opposition thereto.

5.4 If good cause is not the basis for the request to terminate or transfer distribution rights, the supplier shall provide a copy of the notice required by subsection 5.2 by certified mail, return receipt requested, to any wholesaler affected by its request. Following the issuance and receipt of such notice, the parties shall comply with the provisions contained in Section 6.0 of this Rule.

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