Have you ever wondered why some cases languish in a legal backlog for so long? It seems so avoidable and unnecessary on the surface, but obviously there are reasons for the long backlogs. But these delays in dealing with a business case or general litigation case don’t just create more work over a longer period of time for the court system. They also create huge headaches and massive problems for the companies and individuals at the heart of these cases, as they wait and wait for a critical legal issue to be resolved.
Well, we have some answers wbout why so many business lawsuits and cases end up waiting years and years in backlog: there simply aren’t enough judges to handle the case load.
According to a new report by Bloomberg, there are up to 90 vacancies for federal judges right now. Congress is also unlikely to approve any new judges in the coming months, because in the lead-up to a presidential election it is rare for Congress to act on judicial appointments.
As frustrating as that is, it is the reality of the situation for many businesses and companies out there in legal limbo. With that in mind, it is important for any business, no matter how big or how small, to have experienced counsel when a legal dispute arises.
Litigation that comes from that dispute could take a lot of time to resolve, so it is best to have an experienced adviser on your team helping you deal with not only the legal dispute, but also to implement strategies and tactics that allow your business to move forward until the litigation is complete.
Source: Bloomberg, “Business Litigation Is Hit By Federal Judge Shortage,” Aug. 12, 2016