How long does a trial take in Spain?

Indicative duration by type of procedure

Civil and family

• Mutual consent divorce: 1 to 3 months (if a well-drafted settlement agreement already exists and there are no minor children, it can be resolved very quickly).
• Contentious divorce, custody, pensions, and visitation regime: 6 to 12 months in first instance; with appeals, it may extend.
• Provisional measures in family: 1 to 3 months from the request, depending on the court's schedule.
• Civil verbal trial (up to €6,000): 4 to 9 months, depending on whether evidence and expert opinions are admitted.
• Ordinary civil trial (higher amount or complex matters): 10 to 24 months in first instance.
• Monitoring (claim for documented debts): 1 to 4 months if there is no opposition; if there is, it moves to verbal or ordinary.
• Execution of judgment (forced collection): it can add 6 to 18 months or more, depending on the assets of the debtor and oppositions.

Inheritance and successions

• Notarial processing of inheritance without conflict: weeks to a few months (depending on documentation and taxes).
• Judicial division of inheritance (inventory, appraisal, and partition): 10 to 24 months, especially if there are expert opinions or assets to value.
• Challenge of a will, legitimate shares, or collation: 12 to 24 months in first instance; if there are appeals, the deadline extends.

Criminal

• Fast trials (less serious crimes with urgent proceedings): weeks to a few months; if there is agreement, it can be resolved very quickly.
• Abbreviated procedure (less serious and some serious crimes): 6 to 18/24 months, depending on evidence and hearings.
• Summary, Jury Court, or macrocauses: 1 to 3 years or more due to their special complexity.

Social (labour)

• Dismissals, salary claims, and workplace accidents: 6 to 12 months in first instance, with variations depending on the court.
• Execution of judgment: 3 to 9 months or more if there is insolvency or incidents.

Contentious-administrative

• Challenge of sanctions, oppositions, patrimonial liability, urban planning, immigration, etc.: 8 to 18 months in first instance; some complex matters may exceed 24 months.
• Precautionary measures: 1 to 3 months for their decision, with priority processing regarding the substance.

Factors that Shorten or Lengthen a Trial

• Workload of the court and date set for the trial.
• Need for expert reports (medical, economic, handwriting, appraisals…).
• Difficulties in notifications and summons of the parties.
• Accumulation of procedures, nullities or procedural incidents.
• Appeals or cassation, which add months or years depending on the court.
• Complexity of evidence (witnesses, experts, extensive or foreign documentation).
• Agreements and appropriate methods: a good regulatory agreement in family law or a transactional agreement can close the litigation in weeks.
• Suitable procedural route: monitoring versus ordinary, verbal versus ordinary, mediation or arbitration when appropriate.
• Case preparation: complete documentation and solid expert evidence from the outset reduces delays.

Legal Deadlines vs. Practical Reality

The procedural laws set deadlines for specific procedures, but do not guarantee a total trial time. The indicators from the CGPJ, which measure "resolution time" in months by jurisdiction, show differences between judicial districts. In practice, in Murcia we observe scenarios similar to the national average, with variations depending on the specific court (Family Courts, First Instance, Criminal, Social or Administrative-Contentious).

How We Help You at GVC Abogados (Murcia) to Plan Timelines

GVC Abogados (García Valcárcel & Cáceres) is a law firm based at Plaza Fuensanta, 3 – 6ºB, 30008 Murcia. Since 1946, the firm has evolved with a distinctive mark: experience, trust, quality, and nobility, values symbolised by the firm's lion.

• Family Law: divorces, parental measures, modifications of measures and liquidation of joint assets with a practical approach to reduce time when possible (agreements, mediation, and solid agreements).
• Inheritance and Successions: partitions, challenges, legitimate shares, and succession planning. We optimise evidence and expert reports to shorten processing time.
• Medical Negligence: since 1998, we have brought together lawyers, jurists, and medical experts to assess and claim rigorously in civil, criminal, or contentious proceedings, adjusting the strategy to the most efficient pathway.
• Civil liability and insurance, real estate and commercial, obligations and contracts, civil and commercial mediation, administrative law, immigration, and criminal law.

Our method in complex claims (especially medical negligence) prioritises viability and time:

• We analyse your case and its viability with transparency.
• We gather and study the key clinical and technical documentation.
• We commission the expert report from independent experts.
• We claim through the appropriate channel (asset liability, civil or criminal) and plan timelines and risks.

Human team: Pedro Alfonso García Valcárcel (founding partner), Raquel García Valcárcel (partner), Miguel Cáceres Sánchez (partner), Olga Martínez Martínez (lawyer) and Carmen Martínez Ramón (secretary), committed to providing close and prudent attention in each case.

Quick tips to avoid prolonging your trial

• Define the strategy from the outset: what you aim for and through which channel (family, civil, criminal, social or contentious).
• Prepare the evidence as soon as possible: original documents, locatable witnesses, and well-focused expert reports.
• Explore agreements and mediation in family and inheritance matters: they reduce time and costs.
• Use summary procedures when appropriate (monitoring, verbal, precautionary measures).
• Avoid unnecessary incidents: what is “urgent” if poorly framed delays what is important.

Frequently asked questions

Can a trial be expedited?

Yes, with strategy and preparation: choose the appropriate channel, request precautionary measures when necessary, propose essential evidence, and explore agreements. In family and inheritance matters, a good agreement or a negotiated partition can save months.

How long does an appeal take?

A civil or family appeal usually adds 6 to 12 months. Appeals to higher courts can extend the process by 12 to 24 months or more depending on the subject matter.

When is mediation or arbitration advisable?

In family and commercial disputes, mediation offers quick and sustainable solutions. Arbitration can be useful in commercial disputes due to its agility and confidentiality.

Are you looking for lawyers in Murcia for family or inheritance matters?

If you need “family law lawyers”, “inheritance lawyers” or “lawyers in Murcia”, at GVC Abogados we accompany you with a realistic estimate of timelines and a procedural plan for your case. We attend in our office at Plaza Fuensanta, 3 – 6ºB, 30008 Murcia, and also online. Request a first consultation and we will help you decide the quickest and most effective way to defend your interests.