Leo E. Strine Jr., Delaware’s witty and sometimes controversial Supreme Court chief justice, is stepping down from the bench with about half of his term remaining.

Strine delivered his resignation letter to Gov. John Carney on Monday, stating that he plans to retire in the fall. The press release from the governor's office did not detail why Strine plans to step down.

Strine's spokesman said the chief justice is on vacation and not available for comment.

THE IMPACT:Why the average taxpayer should care about Leo Strine's departure

"I can say to you with confidence that the judiciary of this state is strong, that we are addressing our challenging and diverse caseloads with diligence, skill and dispatch and that we are continually looking for new ways to serve the people of Delaware even more effectively," Strine wrote in his resignation letter.

He was nominated to a 12-year-term by former Gov. Jack Markell in 2014, replacing former Chief Justice Myron Steele.

During his tenure, the court invalidated the state's death penalty and ruled on controversial land use issues including the development of Barley Mill Plaza in Greenville and weighed in on billion-dollar business disputes.

LANDMARK DECISION: Top court: Delaware's death penalty law unconstitutional

Before his appointment to the state's highest court, Strine served as a judge and chancellor on Delaware's Court of Chancery from 1998 where he developed a reputation as a huge personality in the world of corporate law.

Strine grew up in Hockessin and, in the private sector, was a corporate litigator for Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, one of the largest law firms in the country.

Prior to his time on Chancery, he was counsel to former Gov. Tom Carper, who is now a longtime Delaware U.S. senator.

Rumors of his potential departure have been circulating for months, partially fueled by him not hiring legal clerks for the upcoming court calendar.

His stepping down begins a process in which current Gov. John Carney will nominate his successor, a dance that will be watched closely by legal and corporate circles around the world given Delaware’s prominence in business.

Contact Xerxes Wilson at (302) 324-2787 or xwilson@delawareonline.com. Follow @Ber_Xerxes on Twitter.

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