If you are facing a civil lawsuit in California, one of the first practical questions you will ask is: how long can a trial last?
Going to trial is a decision that no one wants to have to make. The civil litigation process is already expensive, and trial introduces new financial exposure, operational disruption, and legal risk. The time commitment alone can influence whether you decide to settle or proceed before a trial judge or jury.
This article is written for individuals and business owners involved in a California civil lawsuit who want a realistic understanding of trial timelines. We will look at how long a trial typically lasts, what affects that timeline, and how to evaluate whether trial is worth the investment in your particular civil case.
How Long Can a Trial Last in a California Civil Court?
The short answer: anywhere from a few hours to several months, depending on the type of civil case and the court handling it. In California courts, trial length varies significantly based on:
- Whether the case is in small claims court or superior court
- Whether it is a jury trial or bench trial
- Whether the matter is designated as a complex case
- Court congestion and scheduling availability
- Pre-trial rulings, including motions for summary judgment
Below is a practical breakdown of the factors that influence the trial timeline.
Small Claims Court vs. Superior Court
Whether a case is handled in small claims court vs. superior court has a direct impact on trial length. Small claims, which typically move faster than those in superior court, are limited to claims under a certain amount depending on the state in which they are held. Cases tried in superior courts, however, take longer to resolve but allow parties to pursue higher claims.
How Long Does a Trial Last in Small Claims Court?
Small claims trials are designed to move quickly. Small claims court handles lower-value disputes, the maximum amount being $12,500 for individuals and $6,250 for businesses in California. They often involve consumer issues, property damage, or straightforward breach of contract claims, and do not require extensive discovery or formal trial preparation.
In a small claims trial:
- Most hearings last 15 to 60 minutes
- The judge typically issues a decision shortly after the hearing
- No jury is involved
- Civil litigation attorneys are not allowed to represent parties in court
If your dispute exceeds small claims limits or involves complex legal issues, it will proceed in California Superior Court, where timelines increase substantially. See the California Court Self-Help Guide for more information on filing a small claims case.
How Long Does a Civil Trial Last in Superior Court?
Trials held in superior court often last longer than those in small claims court. In California Superior Court, the typical civil trial lasts:
- 2 to 5 days for relatively straightforward cases
- 1 to 3 weeks for moderately contested business or employment disputes
- Several weeks to months for complex cases involving multiple parties, expert witnesses, or large financial exposure
Common examples:
- Personal injury cases: 3 to 10 days, depending on medical testimony
- Breach of contract or business disputes: 5 days to 3 weeks
- Employment litigation (wrongful termination, wage disputes): 1 to 3 weeks
- Complex commercial litigation: Several weeks or longer
In Superior Court, court congestion can also affect scheduling. A press release from the Los Angeles County Superior Court in May of 2025 noted that their number of unlimited civil filings has increased by 48% from 2008 to 2025. Although courts continue to address congestion issues in different ways, these increases still have an impact on judges’ ability to set trial dates.
Jury Trial vs. Bench Trial
Another factor that affects trial length is whether a jury trial or bench trial is chosen. A jury trial typically takes longer than a bench trial as it involves more formal evidentiary procedure. The process involves selecting a jury and ensuring they have proper instructions, and allowing them time to deliberate before coming to a final verdict. Jury selection alone can take one or more days in larger civil cases. Deliberations may last hours or several days, depending on the complexity of the issues.
A bench trial is decided by a judge without a jury. These trials are generally shorter, streamlined for efficiency, and require less formal procedures, such as jury selection and deliberation. Judges may issue a tentative ruling or take the matter under submission before issuing a written decision. If time efficiency is a priority, some litigants waive jury trial to reduce the duration and cost of proceedings.
Complex Cases Can Lengthen the Trial Process
California courts may designate certain matters as complex cases, particularly in business litigation. These types of cases can take longer to complete due to various factors, and can include:
- Multiple parties
- Significant financial records
- Expert testimony
- Technical subject matter
- Extensive pre-trial motion practice
Complex cases are governed by special case management rules under California Rules of Court, Rule 3.400. These cases can take years to reach trial and may last several weeks once trial begins. In federal court or district court, similar commercial disputes can also involve extended trial timelines and stricter procedural requirements.
Continuances Can Delay Court Proceedings
One of the most common reasons civil litigation timelines expand is due to continuances. Continuances delay court proceedings, such as hearings and trial, and can be granted by judges based on various circumstances, including:
- Attorney scheduling conflicts
- Unavailable witnesses
- Pending motions (such as summary judgment)
- Court backlog
- Newly discovered evidence
- Settlement negotiations
In Los Angeles County, trial dates are often trailing, meaning your case may be on standby until a courtroom becomes available. This can result in uncertainty for weeks.
What Is the Maximum Time for a Civil Case From Start to Finish?
There is no strict maximum time in which it takes for a civil case to complete from start to finish. While the trial itself may last days or weeks, the entire civil action often spans:
- 12 to 24 months for standard cases
- 2 to 5 years for complex litigation
- Longer if appeals are filed
If the case proceeds to the appellate court, the appeal alone can add another year or more.
Statute of Limitations on Civil Cases
There is a statute of limitations on civil cases, which varies depending on the type of case being tried. The statute of limitations determines how long you have to file a civil lawsuit after a dispute arises.
For example, in California:
- Personal injury: 2 years
- Breach of contract (written): 4 years
- Breach of contract (oral): 2 years
- Property damage: 3 years
If you miss the statute of limitations, the court may dismiss the case regardless of its merits. More information can be found on the California Courts Self-Help Guide on statute of limitations.
Settling vs. Going to Trial
Making the decision to go to trial, as opposed to settling, is dependent on several factors, including time, cost, and exposure to personal or business risks. At trial, there are no guaranteed outcomes and verdicts are decided by a judge or jury. Legal fees can accumulate quickly and business operations may be disrupted in certain cases.
Alternatively, settlement through methods of alternative dispute resolution allows parties to agree on set terms and payments while minimizing exposure and ongoing legal costs. Settling a case outside of court can significantly shorten the lawsuit timeline, however, the option to do so is influenced by both parties’ ability to agree on settlement terms.
Developing a trial-ready litigation strategy early on in a lawsuit can help strengthen negotiation leverage, which is turn reduces the risk of being pressured into unfavorable settlements driven by uncertainty or lack of preparation.
Wondering How Long Your Trial Could Take? Ask a Civil Litigation Attorney
Understanding how long a trial can last is essential before deciding whether to file a lawsuit, defend a claim, or negotiate a settlement. Every civil case is different. The type of civil case, the court involved, whether a jury trial is requested, and the complexity of the legal and factual issues all influence your timeline.
At Law Advocate Group, LLP, our Beverly Hills civil litigation attorneys represent individuals and businesses throughout Los Angeles County and Southern California in business disputes, contract litigation, employment matters, and other civil actions. We provide clear case assessments, realistic timeline projections, and strategic recommendations tailored to your specific goals.
If you are considering filing a civil lawsuit or defending against one, contact our office to schedule a consultation. Our litigation team will evaluate your claim, explain what to expect in California court, and help you determine whether trial is worth the time, cost, and risk involved.
FAQ
Most civil jury trials last between 3 days and 3 weeks, depending on the number of witnesses, complexity of evidence, and jury deliberation time.
Bench trials are usually shorter than jury trials because they eliminate jury selection and deliberation. Many bench trials conclude within a few days to one week.
There is no strict maximum time it takes for a civil trial to complete. Complex commercial or multi-party litigation can last several months at trial, particularly in federal court or designated complex departments.
Yes, cases can settle at any point before a judgment is made. Many cases resolve through settlement, summary judgment, default judgment, or alternative dispute resolution before trial begins.
Yes, filing an appeal extends the time in which it takes for a case to complete. An appeal to the appellate court can add a year or more to the life of a case, even after trial concludes.
