Civil lawsuits are often described as marathons, not sprints. For someone considering a lawsuit or facing one as a defendant, one of the first questions is simple: how long will this take? Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some cases resolve in months, while others stretch over several years.

Civil litigation is influenced by case complexity, court backlogs, the willingness of parties to settle, and even modern changes like virtual hearings. For example, a simple landlord-tenant dispute in small claims court might wrap up in a few months, while a multi-million-dollar corporate lawsuit could take five years or more.

This guide walks through each stage of litigation and explains how much time it usually takes, with examples to help you set realistic expectations.

Average Duration of Civil Lawsuits

In general, civil lawsuits last anywhere from one to three years for typical disputes such as personal injury or breach of contract. Complex commercial or class action cases often take longer, sometimes five years or more.

At the shorter end, small claims courts often resolve matters in a few months, since they are streamlined. On the longer end, cases that involve multiple parties, extensive discovery, or appeals may drag on for years.

Phases of Civil Litigation and Their Timelines

1. Filing and Pleadings (a few weeks to several months)

Every lawsuit begins with a complaint filed by the plaintiff. The defendant then files an answer. Depending on the jurisdiction, serving papers and getting responses may take a few weeks or several months. If motions to dismiss or jurisdictional challenges are raised, this stage can stretch longer.

2. Discovery (6 to 18 months)

Discovery is often the most time-consuming stage. Both sides exchange evidence, take depositions, and request documents. In a straightforward case, discovery may last six months. In larger disputes—such as commercial litigation involving thousands of documents—discovery can last well over a year.

Modern litigation has made this even more complex with e-discovery. Courts now require review of digital communications like emails, databases, and messages. While technology has sped up some aspects, it has also expanded the volume of material to review.

3. Pre-Trial Motions and Hearings (several months)

Before trial, lawyers often file motions to dismiss claims, exclude evidence, or resolve issues without a full trial. Courts schedule hearings to decide these motions, and in busy jurisdictions, this process can take months.

4. Trial (days to weeks)

When people picture litigation, they imagine dramatic courtroom trials. In reality, most civil cases settle before trial. But when cases do reach trial, they often last a week or two. Complex trials involving multiple witnesses and expert testimony may take several weeks.

5. Appeal (months to years)

Even after trial, the losing party can appeal. Appeals typically take at least six months to a year, and in appellate courts with heavy caseloads, they may take two or more years to resolve.

Real-Life Examples of Timelines

• Personal injury lawsuit: Often resolved within one to three years. Insurance companies may delay, but many cases settle before trial.
  
• Landlord-tenant disputes: Frequently handled in small claims or housing courts, taking a few months to under a year.
  
• Business contract disputes: Can range from one year for smaller matters to three or more for complex commercial cases.
  
• Class actions or multi-party litigation: These are among the longest, often lasting five years or longer.
  

Why Civil Litigation Takes So Long

Several factors explain why lawsuits rarely move quickly:

• Court backlog: Many jurisdictions are dealing with delays, worsened by pandemic-era disruptions.
  
• Complex evidence: Cases that require reviewing financial records, emails, or technical data naturally take longer.
  
• Multiple parties: More defendants or plaintiffs mean more scheduling conflicts and longer proceedings.
  
• Strategic delays: Sometimes one side intentionally slows the process to pressure the other into settling.
  

Modern Trends Affecting Litigation Speed

Civil litigation in 2025 looks different than it did a decade ago. Courts now rely heavily on e-filing systems, virtual hearings, and online scheduling tools to streamline timelines. In some places, this has sped up routine hearings. However, heavy caseloads continue to cause delays in trial dates.

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is another trend. Mediation and arbitration allow parties to resolve disputes in months instead of years. For many clients, ADR is an attractive alternative to drawn-out litigation.

Interestingly, delays in legal cases sometimes feel similar to issues people face when traveling abroad. Just as dealing with stolen travel documents can disrupt plans and require navigating bureaucratic processes, lawsuits can be slowed by procedural hurdles and administrative backlogs. Both remind us how systems—whether legal or governmental—can create long waits beyond our control.

How to Speed Up the Litigation Process

While no one can fully control how long litigation takes, there are strategies to shorten the process:

• Being open to early settlement discussions.
  
• Considering mediation or arbitration instead of trial.
  
• Ensuring timely responses to court filings and discovery requests.
  
• Narrowing issues with pre-trial motions.
  
• Choosing jurisdictions with more efficient court systems when possible.
  

Conclusion

So, how long does civil litigation take? The answer depends on the type of case, the court’s workload, and the parties involved. Simple disputes might end in months, while complex lawsuits can take years. The typical case falls somewhere between one and three years, though appeals can extend the process even further.

For anyone considering a lawsuit, the key takeaway is that civil litigation is rarely quick. It requires patience, persistence, and often a willingness to explore alternatives like settlement or mediation.

While the process may be long, the goal remains clear: ensuring justice, resolving disputes, and protecting rights through the courts.

FAQ’s

How long does the average civil case last?
Most civil cases take one to three years, but some settle in months while others last five or more years.

Can a civil case settle before trial?
Yes. In fact, most civil cases settle before trial, often saving time and money.

Why do some lawsuits drag on for years?
Backlogged courts, complex evidence, multiple parties, and appeals can all extend the timeline significantly.

Are small claims cases faster?
Yes. Small claims courts are designed to resolve disputes in a matter of months rather than years.