This article is for general information only and does not replace tailored legal advice. Each case has its own particularities, and the duration and costs of a civil or criminal case must always be assessed concretely together with a lawyer.
For most clients, the first two questions after “Do I have a case?” are very simple: “How long will the case take?” and “How much will it cost me?” Unfortunately, the Romanian legal system does not work with fixed, guaranteed durations. Instead, it is built around principles such as the right to a fair trial within a reasonable time and the obligation of courts to ensure an “optimal and foreseeable” timeframe for proceedings.Article 21(3) of the Romanian Constitution; Article 6 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
In practice, the actual duration and costs of a case depend on a combination of legal and very pragmatic factors: the complexity of the dispute, the number of parties, the volume of evidence (especially expert evidence), how busy the court is, and the way the parties themselves conduct the proceedings.
The aim of this guide is to offer a realistic, documented overview of:
- the legal framework for the duration of proceedings in Romania;
- the main stages and typical timelines of a civil case and of a criminal case;
- the main cost categories in civil and criminal proceedings;
- what you can do, in real life, to manage both duration and costs.
1. Legal framework: “reasonable time” and “optimal and foreseeable timeframe”
At constitutional level, Article 21(3) of the Romanian Constitution expressly guarantees that parties have the right to a fair trial and to the settlement of their cases within a reasonable time. This wording largely mirrors Article 6 § 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which protects the right to a fair hearing “within a reasonable time” in civil and criminal matters.Romanian Constitution, Article 21(3); Commentary on Article 6 ECHR.
In civil matters, the Code of Civil Procedure goes one step further. Article 6 states that anyone has the right to the adjudication of their case in an “optimal and foreseeable” timeframe, and obliges courts to take all measures allowed by law to ensure the celerity of proceedings.Article 6 CPC – right to an optimal and foreseeable term.
In criminal matters, the Code of Criminal Procedure does not give a single rigid time limit for how long a criminal case may last from start to finish. Instead, it uses the same “reasonable time” standard (interpreted in light of Article 6 ECHR) and introduces special tools such as the complaint concerning the duration of criminal proceedings, which allows an interested party to ask a court to intervene when the investigation or trial is excessively delayed.Doctrine on the complaint regarding the duration of criminal proceedings.
In other words, you will not find a legal provision saying “a civil case must end in 12 months” or “a criminal case must end in 24 months”. Instead, the law establishes principles and remedies to correct situations where a case drags on beyond what is acceptable.
2. Stages and typical duration of a civil case in Romania
2.1. Main stages of a civil case
A “classic” civil dispute (for example, a payment claim, damages, a contractual dispute or a partition of assets) usually passes through the following stages:
- Referral to court by a statement of claim (“cerere de chemare în judecată”), usually subject to court fees under Government Emergency Ordinance no. 80/2013 on judicial stamp duties.
- Regularisation of the claim (the court checks jurisdiction, formal requirements, court fees, etc.).
- Service of the claim and statement of defence (the claim is served on the defendant, who then files a defence).
- First hearing and evidentiary phase (the parties propose and the court admits or rejects evidence: documents, witnesses, expert reports, on-site inspections, etc.).
- Closing submissions and deliberations, followed by the pronouncement of the judgment.
- Appeal and, in limited cases, recourse (second and sometimes third levels of jurisdiction).
- Enforcement, if the losing party does not voluntarily comply with the judgment.
2.2. Factors influencing the duration of a civil case
The actual time a civil case takes is influenced by a combination of elements:
- Complexity – cases with several heads of claim, multiple contracts, or complex legal issues understandably last longer than simple, straightforward claims.
- Number of parties – multi-party litigation tends to be slower: every party must be summoned and heard, which often leads to more hearings.
- Type and volume of evidence – cases relying only on documents usually move faster than cases requiring several judicial expert reports (accounting, construction, IT, medical, valuation, etc.).
- Workload of the court – courts in large cities often face heavy dockets, which means longer gaps between hearings.
- Conduct of the parties – repeated requests for adjournment, last-minute submissions, or failure of witnesses to appear can significantly delay the case.
- Interaction with other proceedings – sometimes a civil case is suspended until a criminal case or another related case is resolved.
2.3. What do official statistics say?
According to the Report on the state of justice in 2023 published by the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM), the average duration of cases in courts in 2023 was around 3.6 months in criminal matters and 5.1 months in non-criminal matters. The indicator measures the average time from registration of a case to the closure of the file, at each level of jurisdiction.CSM – Report on the state of justice 2023; Press summary of CSM data.
These numbers are statistical averages. They do not mean that your specific claim will be decided in exactly 5.1 months. They simply show that, overall, many cases are decided in a period of a few months at each level of jurisdiction. If you consider that a typical case may go through two levels (first instance and appeal), it is logical to expect total durations often measured in years rather than months, even when each individual level is relatively fast.
Reasoning example: if the average for non-criminal cases is about 5.1 months per level, according to the CSM report, then a two-level case (first instance + appeal) would, on average, take around 10–11 months. In practice, you must add delays due to adjournments, expert appointments, and the time needed to draft judgments, which easily pushes the total into the 1–2 year range for many “ordinary” cases. This is not an exact formula, but a reasonable extrapolation from the statistical data.
2.4. Typical time ranges for civil cases (purely indicative)
Important: the figures below are indicative, not promises. They describe frequent scenarios under “normal” conditions (no extraordinary incidents, no excessive procedural abuse, and an average court workload).
- Simple civil dispute (small to moderate value, no experts, few witnesses):
- First instance: roughly 6–12 months.
- Appeal: another 6–12 months.
- Overall (if appeal is lodged): about 1–2 years.
- Medium-complexity case (higher values, one expert report):
- First instance: around 1–2 years.
- Appeal: around 1–2 years.
- Overall: approximately 2–4 years.
- Complex case (contentious partitions, multi-party commercial disputes, urban planning cases, etc., with several experts and many hearings):
- First instance: often 2–3 years or more.
- Appeal and, where applicable, recourse: another 1–3 years.
- Overall: not uncommon to reach 3–5+ years.
These ranges are based on the combination of the official average durations per level and day-to-day practice in Romanian courts; they are estimates, not fixed durations guaranteed by law.
3. How much does a civil case cost? Main cost categories
3.1. Judicial stamp duties (court fees)
Civil claims are generally subject to judicial stamp duties (“taxe judiciare de timbru”), governed by Government Emergency Ordinance no. 80/2013, as amended, including recent changes brought by Law no. 268/2024.Summary of OUG 80/2013.
In broad terms:
- Claims evaluated in money (payment claims, damages, etc.) are taxed proportionally, based on value brackets.
- Certain non-monetary claims are taxed with fixed amounts.
- Some claims (for example, certain employment or social security disputes) are exempt from court fees under specific conditions.
- Appeals and recourse are usually subject to separate court fees, often lower than those paid at first instance but still significant.
Before filing a case, it is advisable to clarify with your lawyer the exact court fee regime for your type of claim and possible exemptions or reductions (for example, via legal aid in civil matters under a separate statute).
3.2. Lawyer’s fees
Lawyer’s fees are agreed contractually between lawyer and client, within the framework set by Law no. 51/1995 on the organisation and practice of the legal profession and the Statute of the profession.Baroul București – Legislation of the legal profession.
The National Union of Bar Associations (UNBR) has also adopted a Guideline of minimum recommended fees, regularly updated (for example, by UNBR Council Decisions no. 82/2020, 174/2021, 343/2023, 353/2023 and 230/2025), with recommended minimum amounts for various types of work. These are recommendations, not mandatory tariffs, but they provide a useful benchmark for both lawyers and clients.UNBR – Guideline of minimum recommended fees; UNBR Decision no. 230/2025.
In practice, a lawyer’s fee may be:
- Fixed for a specific phase (e.g. first instance only);
- Hourly, based on time spent (meetings, drafting documents, court appearances);
- Mixed (a fixed base fee plus a success-based component, within the ethical limits set by the Statute and the Code of Ethics).
The level of the fee is correlated with several elements: the anticipated volume of work, complexity, value and importance of the case, urgency, and the resources required. It is normal for complex, high-stakes litigation to involve fees significantly higher than those for a straightforward small claim.
For a more detailed discussion on how fees are calculated in practice, you can also see specialised articles such as “About lawyers’ fees – how much does a lawyer cost and how are fees calculated?”.
3.3. Other possible costs in civil cases
- Judicial experts’ fees (technical, accounting, valuation, IT, medical, etc.).
- Travel expenses for parties, witnesses, experts and, where applicable, for the lawyer.
- Enforcement fees, if a bailiff (“executor judecătoresc”) is needed to enforce the judgment.
- Translation costs for certified translations, if foreign-language documents must be filed or foreign parties are involved.
As a rule, the losing party may be ordered to pay the legal costs (“cheltuieli de judecată”) of the winning party – including court fees, lawyers’ fees, experts and enforcement costs. However, the court has the power to review and reduce these amounts if it considers they are excessive in relation to the case.
4. Criminal cases: stages, duration and costs
4.1. Main stages of a criminal case
A typical criminal case in Romania goes through three main phases:
- Criminal investigation (urmărirea penală) – the prosecution (parquet) and the criminal investigation bodies collect evidence, hear witnesses, perform searches, seize assets, and may order expert reports.
- Preliminary chamber (camera preliminară) – once an indictment is filed, the court checks whether the indictment and the evidence were lawfully obtained and whether the referral is valid.
- Trial (judecata) – the court hears the defendant, witnesses and experts, examines documents and other evidence, and issues a judgment. The judgment can then be appealed, and in some cases a further recourse is possible.
4.2. What does “reasonable time” mean in criminal cases?
The “reasonable time” standard in criminal matters is interpreted in the light of Article 6 ECHR and the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights. In assessing whether a criminal case has lasted too long, both domestic courts and the Strasbourg Court look at:
- the complexity of the case (number of defendants, number of offences, cross-border elements, volume of digital data, etc.);
- the conduct of the authorities (whether investigations and hearings were carried out diligently or with long, unjustified gaps);
- the conduct of the accused and other parties (for example, whether they used procedural rights in good faith or deliberately tried to stall the case);
- the importance of the case for the accused (for example, whether they were detained, or whether their livelihood was at stake).
Romanian law complements this with the complaint regarding the duration of criminal proceedings, which allows parties to ask a court to order specific measures when investigations or trials are unduly slow (for example, setting deadlines for certain acts or prioritising the case on the docket).Academic analysis of the complaint on the duration of criminal proceedings.
4.3. Indicative time ranges in criminal cases
Official statistics show that, in 2023, the average duration of criminal cases in courts was about 3.6 months per level of jurisdiction, according to the CSM report.CSM – Report on the state of justice 2023.
However, this figure does not include the entire duration of the criminal investigation stage and does not reflect particularly complex cases. Based on statistical data and practice, it is realistic to expect the following indicative ranges:
- Relatively simple case (one defendant, one offence, limited evidence, no pre-trial detention):
- Criminal investigation: a few months up to about 1 year.
- Preliminary chamber: several months.
- Trial (first instance + appeal): roughly 1–2 years.
- Medium-complexity case (economic offences with accounting or IT expert evidence):
- Investigation: typically 6–12+ months.
- Preliminary chamber: may last several months, especially if many procedural objections are raised.
- Trial (first instance + appeal): often 2–3 years in total.
- Complex case (organised crime, multiple acts, international cooperation, large-scale digital forensics):
- Investigation: frequently 1–2 years or more.
- Trial including appeals: several years, sometimes exceeding 4–5 years overall.
Again, these are reasoned estimates based on official average durations per level and the additional time needed for complex investigative and evidentiary work; they are not guarantees.
4.4. What costs are involved in a criminal case?
For the accused or defendant, criminal proceedings do not involve judicial stamp duties. However, they can generate substantial other costs:
- Lawyer’s fees – for advice, representation during the investigation, and defence in court.
- Experts’ fees – for additional or private expert reports (forensic accounting, IT forensics, medical opinions, valuations, etc.), if requested by the defence.
- Travel and logistical expenses – especially if the case is heard in another city or involves numerous hearings.
- Court-ordered costs – in the event of a conviction, the court may order the convicted person to pay the judicial expenses borne by the state (for example, court-appointed experts, legal aid lawyers, translations, etc.).
For a more focused treatment of this topic, you can consult dedicated materials discussing expected costs in criminal cases and how they are allocated (for example, detailed articles about the costs of a criminal trial in Romania).
5. How to realistically manage the duration and costs of a case
5.1. Clarify objectives and strategy from the outset
The time and money invested in a case are strongly influenced by the procedural strategy. For example:
- In civil cases, a highly aggressive strategy (many motions, extensive evidence, multiple expert reports) may maximise the chances of covering every angle, but almost certainly increases both duration and cost.
- A more streamlined strategy (focusing on key evidence, being open to settlement) may shorten the case and reduce costs, at the price of accepting realistic compromise solutions.
- In criminal cases, decisions such as whether to admit guilt and use simplified procedures can shorten the case and reduce sentencing exposure, but have serious consequences and must be discussed in depth with a defence lawyer.
5.2. Prepare your case well from the beginning
Well-prepared files tend to progress more smoothly. Concretely, it helps if you:
- Gather all relevant documents early (contracts, correspondence, invoices, medical reports, expert opinions, etc.).
- Discuss with your lawyer which witnesses are truly essential and what they can credibly testify about.
- Identify in time what evidence could be obtained outside of court (for example, through requests to institutions) and what will have to be obtained via the court or prosecutors.
5.3. Avoid becoming a source of delay
Parties and lawyers cannot control the court’s docket or the availability of experts, but they can control their own contribution to delays:
- Show up for hearings or make sure you are represented, to avoid adjournments caused by absence.
- File documents and motions within the deadlines set by the court, not at the last minute or after deadlines have expired.
- Avoid unnecessary motions filed just to “gain time”, which can backfire and harm your credibility with the court.
5.4. Have an honest discussion about budget
A transparent discussion with your lawyer about fees and expected costs is essential. As a rule, it is advisable to clarify:
- what fee structure will be used (fixed, hourly, mixed);
- what the fee covers (for example, does it include only the first instance, or also appeal? does it cover certain written motions or only court representation?);
- what other costs are likely (court fees, expert fees, translations, enforcement), even if they cannot be quantified exactly at the start.
It is better to receive a realistic, nuanced answer such as “based on my experience, this type of case usually lasts between X and Y and total costs are typically in the range of …” than rigid promises that ignore the realities of the justice system.
5.5. Consider alternatives to full-blown litigation
In some situations, a settlement, transaction or mediation may be faster and cheaper than years of litigation. This is particularly relevant where the main interest is financial and where both parties are willing to compromise to avoid the uncertainty and expense of a long trial.
In criminal cases, alternatives such as plea agreements (“acord de recunoaștere a vinovăției”) or waivers of prosecution are available in certain circumstances, but they have major legal implications (including conviction and penalties) and must be assessed very carefully together with a lawyer.
6. Conclusions: what you can realistically expect about duration and costs
1. Romanian law does not provide fixed official durations (e.g. “12 months” for a civil case). Instead, it guarantees a fair trial within a reasonable time and, in civil matters, within an optimal and foreseeable timeframe, backed by mechanisms to address excessive delays.Article 6 CPC; Article 21(3) of the Constitution.
2. In practice, significant civil and criminal cases are often measured in years rather than months, especially when appeals are lodged. Official statistics for 2023 show average durations of 3.6 months for criminal matters and 5.1 months for non-criminal matters per level of jurisdiction, which, once you factor in multiple levels and procedural complexity, easily translates into multi-year proceedings.Summary of CSM statistics.
3. The costs of a case include both unavoidable legal expenses (court fees, experts, enforcement) and lawyers’ fees, which reflect the amount of work involved and the stakes of the case. Even a seemingly simple case can involve total costs in the range of a few thousand lei; complex cases or long-running criminal proceedings can substantially exceed this.
4. A frank discussion with your lawyer about strategy, duration, risk and budget, combined with good preparation and avoiding unnecessary delays, can make a major difference. While no one can guarantee a specific outcome or deadline, it is entirely legitimate to ask for a realistic time and cost scenario tailored to your situation.
5. Finally, general information such as this guide should always be complemented by a personal consultation. Only a lawyer who has seen your documents and understood your specific circumstances can tell you what is realistic in your particular case, and what decisions you have to make to manage time, risk and costs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can a simple civil case be completed in less than a year?
Yes, it is possible. A relatively simple civil case (for example, a straightforward payment claim with clear documents and few witnesses) can sometimes be decided at first instance in about 6–12 months, if the court is not overloaded and the parties act diligently. However, if an appeal is lodged, you need to add another several months to a year, so the overall duration for the entire case will usually be closer to 1–2 years rather than a few months.
Is there a fixed legal deadline for how long a criminal case may last?
No. Romanian law does not set a single fixed deadline for the total duration of a criminal case. Instead, it uses the concept of “reasonable time”, derived from Article 6 ECHR and Article 21(3) of the Constitution, assessed in light of the complexity of the case, the conduct of the authorities and of the parties. Certain measures (such as pre-trial detention) are subject to strict time limits, and there is a specific complaint on the duration of criminal proceedings that can be used when a case drags on excessively.
Can I recover my legal costs if I win a civil case?
In principle, yes. The losing party may be ordered to pay the legal costs of the winning party (court fees, lawyers’ fees, experts’ fees, enforcement costs, etc.). However, the court may review and reduce the amounts claimed if it considers them excessive or not properly justified, so recovery is not necessarily 100% of what you have actually spent.
What minimum budget should I plan for a case?
There is no single answer, but it is realistic to expect that even a simple civil case will involve at least several hundred lei in court fees plus lawyers’ fees and possibly other expenses. Budgets of 1,000–2,000 lei or more are not unusual for modest disputes, while complex cases (especially those with multiple expert reports or long trials) can generate much higher total costs. A careful discussion with your lawyer is essential in order to receive a personalised estimate.
Is it helpful to “drag out” a case?
In most situations, no. While sometimes there may be strategic reasons to seek particular adjournments, systematically trying to “drag out” the case with unjustified motions often backfires. Courts may reject such tactics, they can undermine your credibility and they tend to increase costs (additional hearings, further fees, more time spent by your lawyer). In the long run, a focused, well-prepared case is usually more effective than a prolonged one.
Is an out-of-court settlement cheaper than going to trial?
Often, yes. A negotiated settlement, transaction or mediation can significantly reduce both the duration and the costs compared to full litigation, particularly in disputes where the core issue is financial. In criminal matters, using mechanisms such as plea agreements can shorten proceedings, but they also involve accepting legal consequences (including conviction), so any such decision must be taken after detailed legal advice.