Trials can last several years due to various factors, such as the complexity of the cases, the number of parties involved, delays related to court hearings, possible appeals in case of disagreement on a decision, as well as the workload of the courts.
A trial is primarily a thorough investigation, and it often takes time. It is necessary to gather all the physical evidence, such as documents, fingerprints, videos, or even emails. Then, it is essential to hear the various testimonies, which can sometimes be contradictory or vague, requiring a lot of back and forth to disentangle the truth from the falsehood. Certain analyses, such as scientific expert evaluations (DNA, financial analyses, wiretaps), indeed take a tremendous amount of time. All these steps are necessary because a single mistake or omission can derail an entire trial. Therefore, to prevent the justice system from making hasty decisions or ruling without solid evidence, the phase of research and verification of evidence often takes months, if not years.
Some trials drag on because they sometimes address very specific or niche topics. When a case pertains to highly technical areas, it is necessary to consult experts to clarify certain delicate points (for example, medical, financial, scientific, or technological aspects). These specialists prepare in-depth technical reports, and it takes time for them to conduct reliable analyses. Furthermore, from a legal perspective, complex cases often involve several distinct areas of law, which inevitably complicates the work of judges and lawyers. To ensure that everything is perfectly clear and well-argued, parties also regularly request additional legal opinions to strengthen their case before a final decision is made. All of this inevitably prolongs the timelines.
When courts are overwhelmed with cases, justice inevitably slows down. Each year, judges must handle a large number of files, often with insufficient staff and resources. As a result, pending cases pile up, and it is not uncommon to wait several months, or even years, before obtaining a hearing date. This court saturation extends processing times, sometimes turning simple cases into true judicial marathons. Fewer judges and clerks, limited resources, and an increase in conflicts clearly contribute to the system's slowness. Moreover, certain priority cases—such as serious crimes, for example—can further delay the processing of other less urgent files.
When a decision is made, the door is not necessarily closed. Each party can, if they deem it necessary or unfair, initiate an appeal, or even request a review of the judgment, often restarting an entire cycle of procedures. These additional steps lead to considerable delays because the case must resurface before other judges. On top of that, there are various possible intermediate appeals, for example, to contest a procedure or a piece of evidence, which adds even more weeks or months. If either party has an interest in delaying, it can turn into an endless game of ping-pong. Sensitive cases, especially those involving significant financial or media stakes, often lead to this, with each decision being scrutinized to ensure that the rules of the game have been followed 100%.
According to a report from the Council of Europe, the average duration of a first-instance civil procedure can vary from one to three times depending on the countries, ranging from a few months to several years depending on the judicial systems.
In the United States, a single appeal can easily add six months to two years to the total duration of a trial due to the complex review procedures by higher courts.
To reduce excessive judicial delays and to alleviate the burden on the courts, some countries are now implementing alternative methods such as mediation, arbitration, or conciliation, which can sometimes resolve a dispute in just a few months.
The longest officially recorded civil trial took place in India, involving the royal family of the Maharaja of Faridkot: the litigation lasted nearly 32 years before a final decision was reached.
No, generally criminal trials are longer due to the seriousness of the charges, the increased number of parties involved, and the strict procedures that must be followed regarding evidence and testimony.
A lengthy trial can lead to significant financial costs, prolonged uncertainty for the parties involved, as well as emotional fatigue due to the excessive duration of legal proceedings.
Yes, the timelines vary depending on the relevant jurisdictions: some courts, particularly in large cities or in complex cases, suffer from significant backlogs that can considerably increase waiting times.
In the majority of cases, yes, appealing or requesting a review extends the duration of the procedure because it leads to a detailed re-examination of the file by a higher court, thus resulting in new delays.
Yes, some contexts allow for expedited procedures, particularly by involving a judge on an urgent basis in cases deemed urgent. However, this option heavily depends on the nature of the dispute and the judge's assessment.
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