Nearly one week after Delaware Court of Chancery Vice Chancellor John W. Noble announced his plans to retire, speculation about his possible successor has been hushed, with no names emerging as top contenders.

In the coming weeks, Gov. Jack Markell is expected to reconstitute the Judicial Nominating Commission to review a pool of applicants and compile a shortlist of top candidates for the governor's review. Markell's pick would then face a hearing and confirmation vote by the Senate.

If Markell—who with the upcoming nomination will have appointed the entire Chancery Court bench—sticks to Delaware's tradition of maintaining political and geographical balance on the courts, he will be looking for a Democrat from Kent County to fill Noble's seat.