How long will a case filed in this district take?
Time is the cost most often left out of a case budget, a funding decision or a reserve. The same civil case can resolve in half a year in one federal district and run past two years in another. Find your district, compare it with the rest of the country, and link or cite the figure you rely on.
Version 1.0 · Published · Data: 12-month period ending September 30, 2025 (duration) and 12-month period ending March 31, 2025 (filings) · All 94 districts
- 79.9 mo
- 77.3 mo
- 47.7 mo
- 33 mo
- 13.9 mo
- 13.9 mo
- 13.6 mo
- 13.4 mo
- 11.7 mo
- 11.2 mo
- 10.4 mo
- 10.4 mo
- 10.3 mo
- 10.3 mo
- 10.3 mo
Every district, side by side
Select a column to sort. Each district links to its full profile: seats, docket mix, the funding-disclosure rule and the questions counsel and funders ask about that court.
| Eastern District of LouisianaE.D. La. | Fifth Circuit | 79.9 | 25.2 | 62.3 | 2,087 | 12 | 35 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of GuamD. Guam | Ninth Circuit | 77.3 | 69 | 38 | 1 | ||
| Northern District of FloridaN.D. Fla. | Eleventh Circuit | 47.7 | 31 | 3.8 | 2,112 | 4 | |
| District of New HampshireD.N.H. | First Circuit | 33 | 50.3 | 424 | 3 | ||
| District of Puerto RicoD.P.R. | First Circuit | 13.9 | 36.5 | 16.3 | 638 | 7 | |
| Middle District of LouisianaM.D. La. | Fifth Circuit | 13.9 | 4 | 1,074 | 3 | ||
| Southern District of IllinoisS.D. Ill. | Seventh Circuit | 13.6 | 22.8 | 2,212 | 4 | ||
| Western District of LouisianaW.D. La. | Fifth Circuit | 13.4 | 33 | 28.7 | 1,824 | 7 | 12 |
| Northern Mariana IslandsD.N. Mar. I. | Ninth Circuit | 11.7 | 45.7 | 13 | 1 | ||
| Southern District of IndianaS.D. Ind. | Seventh Circuit | 11.2 | 36.5 | 62.7 | 3,574 | 5 | 12 |
| Eastern District of ArkansasE.D. Ark. | Eighth Circuit | 10.4 | 34.6 | 3.9 | 1,657 | 5 | |
| Southern District of AlabamaS.D. Ala. | Eleventh Circuit | 10.4 | 5.6 | 516 | 3 | ||
| District of the Virgin IslandsD.V.I. | Third Circuit | 10.3 | 49.7 | 124 | 2 | 7 | |
| Northern District of West VirginiaN.D.W. Va. | Fourth Circuit | 10.3 | 7.3 | 608 | 3 | ||
| District of IdahoD. Idaho | Ninth Circuit | 10.3 | 12.9 | 663 | 2 | ||
| District of South DakotaD.S.D. | Eighth Circuit | 10.2 | 13.1 | 365 | 3 | ||
| District of AlaskaD. Alaska | Ninth Circuit | 10.1 | 15.9 | 347 | 3 | 24 | |
| Southern District of West VirginiaS.D.W. Va. | Fourth Circuit | 10 | 54.7 | 840 | 5 | ||
| District of OregonD. Or. | Ninth Circuit | 9.8 | 34.6 | 9.4 | 2,148 | 6 | |
| District of DelawareD. Del. | Third Circuit | 9.7 | 40.2 | 18.5 | 1,464 | 4 | |
| Western District of ArkansasW.D. Ark. | Eighth Circuit | 9.5 | 3.9 | 867 | 3 | 12 | |
| Southern District of MississippiS.D. Miss. | Fifth Circuit | 9.4 | 24.8 | 2.1 | 1,625 | 6 | |
| District of MontanaD. Mont. | Ninth Circuit | 9.4 | 10.9 | 787 | 3 | ||
| Eastern District of TennesseeE.D. Tenn. | Sixth Circuit | 9.3 | 5.4 | 1,122 | 5 | ||
| Western District of VirginiaW.D. Va. | Fourth Circuit | 9.2 | 29 | 9.7 | 1,379 | 4 | |
| Western District of New YorkW.D.N.Y. | Second Circuit | 9.1 | 18.5 | 2,084 | 4 | ||
| District of WyomingD. Wyo. | Tenth Circuit | 9.1 | 46.2 | 298 | 3 | ||
| Southern District of OhioS.D. Ohio | Sixth Circuit | 9 | 53.2 | 65.8 | 4,210 | 8 | |
| District of Rhode IslandD.R.I. | First Circuit | 8.9 | 11.8 | 562 | 3 | ||
| Middle District of TennesseeM.D. Tenn. | Sixth Circuit | 8.7 | 27.7 | 3.6 | 1,745 | 4 | |
| District of North DakotaD.N.D. | Eighth Circuit | 8.7 | 12.1 | 282 | 2 | ||
| Northern District of AlabamaN.D. Ala. | Eleventh Circuit | 8.7 | 34.5 | 15.4 | 1,930 | 8 | 20 |
| Western District of TennesseeW.D. Tenn. | Sixth Circuit | 8.6 | 25.2 | 10 | 1,494 | 5 | 12 |
| Middle District of PennsylvaniaM.D. Pa. | Third Circuit | 8.5 | 51.9 | 9.6 | 2,393 | 6 | |
| Northern District of IndianaN.D. Ind. | Seventh Circuit | 8.5 | 5.5 | 2,161 | 5 | ||
| District of UtahD. Utah | Tenth Circuit | 8.5 | 11.1 | 1,256 | 5 | ||
| Northern District of New YorkN.D.N.Y. | Second Circuit | 8.4 | 55.6 | 9.3 | 1,754 | 5 | |
| Middle District of North CarolinaM.D.N.C. | Fourth Circuit | 8.4 | 25.6 | 4.5 | 1,093 | 4 | 18 |
| Eastern District of North CarolinaE.D.N.C. | Fourth Circuit | 8.3 | 4.5 | 2,941 | 4 | ||
| Eastern District of KentuckyE.D. Ky. | Sixth Circuit | 8.3 | 12.8 | 1,066 | 5.5 | 7 | |
| Eastern District of MichiganE.D. Mich. | Sixth Circuit | 8.3 | 35 | 9 | 3,566 | 15 | 2 |
| District of MinnesotaD. Minn. | Eighth Circuit | 8.2 | 41.8 | 42.1 | 4,717 | 7 | |
| District of New MexicoD.N.M. | Tenth Circuit | 8.2 | 9.5 | 1,309 | 7 | ||
| District of New JerseyD.N.J. | Third Circuit | 8.1 | 62.4 | 57 | 11,546 | 17 | |
| Eastern District of CaliforniaE.D. Cal. | Ninth Circuit | 8.1 | 66.8 | 17.5 | 5,250 | 6 | |
| Southern District of IowaS.D. Iowa | Eighth Circuit | 8 | 2.4 | 578 | 3 | ||
| District of NevadaD. Nev. | Ninth Circuit | 8 | 57.3 | 15 | 2,938 | 7 | |
| Western District of KentuckyW.D. Ky. | Sixth Circuit | 7.9 | 8.9 | 1,196 | 4.5 | ||
| District of South CarolinaD.S.C. | Fourth Circuit | 7.8 | 32.8 | 11.7 | 7,847 | 10 | 12 |
| Eastern District of OklahomaE.D. Okla. | Tenth Circuit | 7.8 | 6 | 489 | 1.5 | ||
| Middle District of AlabamaM.D. Ala. | Eleventh Circuit | 7.8 | 14.2 | 924 | 3 | 12 | |
| District of ColumbiaD.D.C. | D.C. Circuit | 7.7 | 22.2 | 3,673 | 15 | ||
| Western District of TexasW.D. Tex. | Fifth Circuit | 7.7 | 32 | 10 | 4,729 | 13 | 24 |
| Northern District of CaliforniaN.D. Cal. | Ninth Circuit | 7.7 | 38.9 | 17 | 10,235 | 14 | |
| District of ColoradoD. Colo. | Tenth Circuit | 7.7 | 40.3 | 5.7 | 3,792 | 7 | |
| Southern District of TexasS.D. Tex. | Fifth Circuit | 7.6 | 31.2 | 6.3 | 7,070 | 19 | 45 |
| Western District of MichiganW.D. Mich. | Sixth Circuit | 7.6 | 2.3 | 1,670 | 4 | ||
| Southern District of GeorgiaS.D. Ga. | Eleventh Circuit | 7.6 | 8.9 | 1,068 | 3 | ||
| District of MassachusettsD. Mass. | First Circuit | 7.3 | 28.9 | 7.5 | 3,519 | 13 | 6 |
| Northern District of MississippiN.D. Miss. | Fifth Circuit | 7.3 | 3 | 783 | 3 | 17 | |
| Eastern District of TexasE.D. Tex. | Fifth Circuit | 7.3 | 24.5 | 6.1 | 3,923 | 8 | |
| Central District of IllinoisC.D. Ill. | Seventh Circuit | 7.3 | 54 | 6.9 | 1,525 | 4 | |
| Northern District of OhioN.D. Ohio | Sixth Circuit | 7.1 | 41.5 | 44.2 | 3,849 | 11 | 12 |
| Northern District of IowaN.D. Iowa | Eighth Circuit | 7.1 | 2.9 | 401 | 2 | ||
| District of KansasD. Kan. | Tenth Circuit | 7 | 20.5 | 4.1 | 1,299 | 6 | 14 |
| Northern District of OklahomaN.D. Okla. | Tenth Circuit | 7 | 11.5 | 648 | 3.5 | 6 | |
| District of ConnecticutD. Conn. | Second Circuit | 6.9 | 58.7 | 6.3 | 2,112 | 8 | 8 |
| Western District of WisconsinW.D. Wis. | Seventh Circuit | 6.9 | 25 | 4.6 | 996 | 2 | |
| Western District of OklahomaW.D. Okla. | Tenth Circuit | 6.8 | 5.6 | 1,453 | 6 | ||
| Eastern District of New YorkE.D.N.Y. | Second Circuit | 6.7 | 53.3 | 19.4 | 8,334 | 15 | |
| District of MarylandD. Md. | Fourth Circuit | 6.7 | 49.3 | 10.5 | 4,070 | 10 | |
| Western District of MissouriW.D. Mo. | Eighth Circuit | 6.7 | 35.8 | 9.4 | 1,696 | 6 | |
| Western District of PennsylvaniaW.D. Pa. | Third Circuit | 6.5 | 12 | 2,753 | 10 | ||
| Middle District of GeorgiaM.D. Ga. | Eleventh Circuit | 6.4 | 29.5 | 9.1 | 1,302 | 4 | |
| District of MaineD. Me. | First Circuit | 6.2 | 4.3 | 468 | 3 | ||
| Eastern District of WashingtonE.D. Wash. | Ninth Circuit | 6.2 | 8.2 | 831 | 4 | ||
| Eastern District of WisconsinE.D. Wis. | Seventh Circuit | 6 | 6.5 | 1,806 | 5 | ||
| Eastern District of MissouriE.D. Mo. | Eighth Circuit | 6 | 36.6 | 3.4 | 1,967 | 8 | |
| District of ArizonaD. Ariz. | Ninth Circuit | 6 | 41.8 | 3.1 | 5,041 | 13 | |
| Western District of WashingtonW.D. Wash. | Ninth Circuit | 6 | 24.3 | 5.1 | 3,316 | 7 | |
| Western District of North CarolinaW.D.N.C. | Fourth Circuit | 5.9 | 4.2 | 1,495 | 5 | 21 | |
| Northern District of TexasN.D. Tex. | Fifth Circuit | 5.9 | 24.3 | 11 | 5,785 | 12 | 13 |
| Northern District of IllinoisN.D. Ill. | Seventh Circuit | 5.9 | 52.2 | 10.2 | 14,744 | 22 | |
| Southern District of New YorkS.D.N.Y. | Second Circuit | 5.6 | 34.5 | 26.2 | 10,238 | 28 | 17 |
| Eastern District of VirginiaE.D. Va. | Fourth Circuit | 5.6 | 15.6 | 11.3 | 4,121 | 11 | |
| Middle District of FloridaM.D. Fla. | Eleventh Circuit | 5.5 | 25.5 | 7.1 | 8,931 | 15 | 23 |
| District of NebraskaD. Neb. | Eighth Circuit | 5.4 | 8 | 885 | 3 | ||
| Southern District of CaliforniaS.D. Cal. | Ninth Circuit | 5.3 | 38.1 | 8.2 | 2,774 | 13 | 12 |
| Eastern District of PennsylvaniaE.D. Pa. | Third Circuit | 5.1 | 28.5 | 21 | 9,192 | 22 | 1 |
| District of HawaiiD. Haw. | Ninth Circuit | 4.9 | 9.4 | 635 | 4 | ||
| Northern District of GeorgiaN.D. Ga. | Eleventh Circuit | 4 | 37.3 | 2.5 | 7,345 | 11 | 4 |
| Central District of CaliforniaC.D. Cal. | Ninth Circuit | 3.9 | 27.1 | 7.3 | 16,625 | 28 | |
| Southern District of FloridaS.D. Fla. | Eleventh Circuit | 3.4 | 21.8 | 2.6 | 9,029 | 18 | |
| District of VermontD. Vt. | Second Circuit | 2.5 | 11 | 1,537 | 2 |
How to read these figures
The median time to disposition is the midpoint: half of the district’s civil cases closed faster, half slower. The share pending over three years is often the better forward signal, because it shows how much of today’s docket is already old. Districts carrying large multidistrict proceedings show long medians and high aged shares that reflect those proceedings more than the typical case.
These are district-wide figures for all civil cases. A single matter’s timing depends on its case type, posture and judge, which is what a Criterica duration band measures.
Cite this
Criterica Intelligence Research. (2026). Federal civil case duration by district, 2025 data (Version 1.0) [Data explorer]. https://critericaintelligence.com/jurisdictions/federal/duration
Underlying data: U.S. Courts, Federal Court Management Statistics — U.S. District Courts, District Profiles (12-Month Periods Ending September 30, 2020 Through 2025), 12-month period ending September 30, 2025; U.S. Courts, Table C-1 — U.S. District Courts, Civil Cases Commenced, Terminated, and Pending, 12-month period ending March 31, 2025. Public court statistics; no Criterica client or platform data appears on this page.
How long does a federal civil case take in the busiest districts?
The twenty districts with the most civil filings in the period.
How long does a federal civil case take in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California?
The median time from filing to disposition for a civil case in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (C.D. Cal.) was 3.9 months for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025, faster than the 15.6-month national median. Civil cases that reached trial took a median of 27.1 months from filing. 7.3% of pending civil cases had been pending more than three years (national: 28.3%). Source: U.S. Courts, Federal Court Management Statistics.
How long does a federal civil case take in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois?
The median time from filing to disposition for a civil case in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (N.D. Ill.) was 5.9 months for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025, faster than the 15.6-month national median. Civil cases that reached trial took a median of 52.2 months from filing. 10.2% of pending civil cases had been pending more than three years (national: 28.3%). Source: U.S. Courts, Federal Court Management Statistics.
How long does a federal civil case take in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey?
The median time from filing to disposition for a civil case in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (D.N.J.) was 8.1 months for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025, faster than the 15.6-month national median. Civil cases that reached trial took a median of 62.4 months from filing. 57% of pending civil cases had been pending more than three years (national: 28.3%). Source: U.S. Courts, Federal Court Management Statistics.
How long does a federal civil case take in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York?
The median time from filing to disposition for a civil case in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (S.D.N.Y.) was 5.6 months for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025, faster than the 15.6-month national median. Civil cases that reached trial took a median of 34.5 months from filing. 26.2% of pending civil cases had been pending more than three years (national: 28.3%). Source: U.S. Courts, Federal Court Management Statistics.
How long does a federal civil case take in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California?
The median time from filing to disposition for a civil case in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (N.D. Cal.) was 7.7 months for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025, faster than the 15.6-month national median. Civil cases that reached trial took a median of 38.9 months from filing. 17% of pending civil cases had been pending more than three years (national: 28.3%). Source: U.S. Courts, Federal Court Management Statistics.
How long does a federal civil case take in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania?
The median time from filing to disposition for a civil case in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (E.D. Pa.) was 5.1 months for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025, faster than the 15.6-month national median. Civil cases that reached trial took a median of 28.5 months from filing. 21% of pending civil cases had been pending more than three years (national: 28.3%). Source: U.S. Courts, Federal Court Management Statistics.
How long does a federal civil case take in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida?
The median time from filing to disposition for a civil case in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida (S.D. Fla.) was 3.4 months for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025, faster than the 15.6-month national median. Civil cases that reached trial took a median of 21.8 months from filing. 2.6% of pending civil cases had been pending more than three years (national: 28.3%). Source: U.S. Courts, Federal Court Management Statistics.
How long does a federal civil case take in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida?
The median time from filing to disposition for a civil case in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida (M.D. Fla.) was 5.5 months for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025, faster than the 15.6-month national median. Civil cases that reached trial took a median of 25.5 months from filing. 7.1% of pending civil cases had been pending more than three years (national: 28.3%). Source: U.S. Courts, Federal Court Management Statistics.
How long does a federal civil case take in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York?
The median time from filing to disposition for a civil case in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York (E.D.N.Y.) was 6.7 months for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025, faster than the 15.6-month national median. Civil cases that reached trial took a median of 53.3 months from filing. 19.4% of pending civil cases had been pending more than three years (national: 28.3%). Source: U.S. Courts, Federal Court Management Statistics.
How long does a federal civil case take in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina?
The median time from filing to disposition for a civil case in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina (D.S.C.) was 7.8 months for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025, faster than the 15.6-month national median. Civil cases that reached trial took a median of 32.8 months from filing. 11.7% of pending civil cases had been pending more than three years (national: 28.3%). Source: U.S. Courts, Federal Court Management Statistics.
How long does a federal civil case take in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia?
The median time from filing to disposition for a civil case in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia (N.D. Ga.) was 4 months for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025, faster than the 15.6-month national median. Civil cases that reached trial took a median of 37.3 months from filing. 2.5% of pending civil cases had been pending more than three years (national: 28.3%). Source: U.S. Courts, Federal Court Management Statistics.
How long does a federal civil case take in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas?
The median time from filing to disposition for a civil case in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas (S.D. Tex.) was 7.6 months for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025, faster than the 15.6-month national median. Civil cases that reached trial took a median of 31.2 months from filing. 6.3% of pending civil cases had been pending more than three years (national: 28.3%). Source: U.S. Courts, Federal Court Management Statistics.
How long does a federal civil case take in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas?
The median time from filing to disposition for a civil case in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas (N.D. Tex.) was 5.9 months for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025, faster than the 15.6-month national median. Civil cases that reached trial took a median of 24.3 months from filing. 11% of pending civil cases had been pending more than three years (national: 28.3%). Source: U.S. Courts, Federal Court Management Statistics.
How long does a federal civil case take in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California?
The median time from filing to disposition for a civil case in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California (E.D. Cal.) was 8.1 months for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025, faster than the 15.6-month national median. Civil cases that reached trial took a median of 66.8 months from filing. 17.5% of pending civil cases had been pending more than three years (national: 28.3%). Source: U.S. Courts, Federal Court Management Statistics.
How long does a federal civil case take in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona?
The median time from filing to disposition for a civil case in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona (D. Ariz.) was 6 months for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025, faster than the 15.6-month national median. Civil cases that reached trial took a median of 41.8 months from filing. 3.1% of pending civil cases had been pending more than three years (national: 28.3%). Source: U.S. Courts, Federal Court Management Statistics.
How long does a federal civil case take in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas?
The median time from filing to disposition for a civil case in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas (W.D. Tex.) was 7.7 months for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025, faster than the 15.6-month national median. Civil cases that reached trial took a median of 32 months from filing. 10% of pending civil cases had been pending more than three years (national: 28.3%). Source: U.S. Courts, Federal Court Management Statistics.
How long does a federal civil case take in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota?
The median time from filing to disposition for a civil case in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota (D. Minn.) was 8.2 months for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025, faster than the 15.6-month national median. Civil cases that reached trial took a median of 41.8 months from filing. 42.1% of pending civil cases had been pending more than three years (national: 28.3%). Source: U.S. Courts, Federal Court Management Statistics.
How long does a federal civil case take in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio?
The median time from filing to disposition for a civil case in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio (S.D. Ohio) was 9 months for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025, faster than the 15.6-month national median. Civil cases that reached trial took a median of 53.2 months from filing. 65.8% of pending civil cases had been pending more than three years (national: 28.3%). Source: U.S. Courts, Federal Court Management Statistics.
How long does a federal civil case take in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia?
The median time from filing to disposition for a civil case in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (E.D. Va.) was 5.6 months for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025, faster than the 15.6-month national median. Civil cases that reached trial took a median of 15.6 months from filing. 11.3% of pending civil cases had been pending more than three years (national: 28.3%). Source: U.S. Courts, Federal Court Management Statistics.
How long does a federal civil case take in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland?
The median time from filing to disposition for a civil case in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (D. Md.) was 6.7 months for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025, faster than the 15.6-month national median. Civil cases that reached trial took a median of 49.3 months from filing. 10.5% of pending civil cases had been pending more than three years (national: 28.3%). Source: U.S. Courts, Federal Court Management Statistics.
Price the time in your own cases
District medians set the backdrop. Criterica Intelligence measures how long each matter in a case list or portfolio is likely to take, as a band with its tail in view, and re-estimates it as rulings and filings land.
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