Estimate key milestones and total duration for civil litigation cases. Instant results, no signup required.
This tool provides estimates only and does not constitute legal advice. Actual timelines vary by court, judge, and case specifics. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance.
Different case types carry different procedural requirements.
Federal courts and complex litigation tracks typically move slower.
Most civil cases settle before trial. Select your most likely path.
More parties add coordination time and extend deadlines.
Leave blank to use today's date.
This estimator uses deterministic logic based on typical civil litigation timelines published by the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) and federal court data from the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts.
Base Duration: Each case type starts with a baseline range (for example, personal injury averages 12 to 24 months). This is adjusted by jurisdiction, complexity, and resolution path.
Complexity Multiplier: Simple cases apply a 0.7x factor, moderate cases 1.0x, complex cases 1.4x, and very complex cases 2.0x to the base range.
Jurisdiction Modifier: Federal courts add 3 to 6 months versus state courts. Complex litigation tracks add additional time. Small claims courts reduce timelines significantly.
Backlog Modifier: High court congestion adds 20 to 40 percent to milestone durations. Low congestion courts reduce by 15 percent.
Milestones: Calculated as percentage offsets from the total estimated duration (for example, initial disclosures at 5 percent, discovery close at 40 percent, and so on).
All results are estimates. Real cases deviate based on motions practice, judicial assignment, party cooperation, and local rules.
Most civil cases settle within 1 to 3 years. Simple state court cases can resolve in 6 to 12 months, while complex federal litigation or class actions can take 3 to 5 years or longer. The resolution path (settlement versus trial) is the single biggest factor.
Common delay causes include discovery disputes, expert witness scheduling, court congestion, motion practice (especially motions to dismiss or summary judgment), appeals, and the number of parties involved. Complex document discovery in business or medical cases can add months on its own.
Yes, in most cases. Mediation typically occurs after discovery is complete (around months 8 to 18) and, if successful, can resolve the case without a trial date. Trials require additional preparation time, jury selection, and court scheduling, which typically adds 6 to 18 months beyond what a mediated settlement would require.
This tool is for informational and planning purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice.