Why Legal Firms and Processes Really Take So Long: The Hidden Incentives Behind the Delay

Time Equals Money.

If you’ve ever been involved in a legal matter—whether it’s a business dispute, a divorce, or a real estate deal—you’ve likely asked yourself a frustrating question: Why is this taking so long? Weeks turn into months, and sometimes even years, as legal processes drag on with no clear end in sight.

The truth is, delays in the legal world aren’t always about complexity or the pursuit of justice. Sometimes, they’re about money. More specifically: they’re about how law firms can benefit financially from slow, drawn-out cases.

The Billable Hour Model: Time Equals Money

At the heart of the issue lies the most common billing method used by legal firms: the billable hour. Unlike a flat fee, where the cost is agreed upon upfront, billable hours reward time spent. Every phone call, every email, every meeting—these all add to the final bill.

So when a case stretches on for months, that’s not a problem for many firms—it’s an opportunity.

Longer cases mean:

• More court filings

• More client meetings

• More “reviewing” and “research”

• More revenue

In this system, there’s little financial incentive for efficiency. In fact, the longer a case goes on, the more profitable it becomes—for the firm.

“Strategic” Delays Under the Guise of Diligence

Lawyers often justify delays as being “thorough” or “cautious,” but that can be code for slow-walking a case. Some firms may intentionally:

• File excessive motions

• Request unnecessary continuances

• Stretch out negotiations

These tactics are rarely questioned by clients who assume complexity is just “part of the process.” In reality, some of it is completely avoidable.

Gatekeeping Information

Legal firms sometimes control the flow of information between parties in a case, including their own clients. Instead of simplifying and explaining the legal process, they can overcomplicate it—keeping clients dependent on their services and less likely to question delays or costs.

This dynamic builds client reliance and pads the bill with more time spent on “consultations” and “clarifications.”

Delay as Leverage

In some situations, a delayed process can actually be used as a legal strategy. For example:

• In litigation, one side might stretch out discovery or court dates to wear down the opponent financially.

• In divorce or custody cases, dragging things out can apply pressure on the other party to settle quickly—often at a disadvantage.

While this can sometimes be justified tactically, it often serves the firm’s financial interests more than the client’s.

Clients Don’t Know What They Don’t Know

Many clients don’t challenge timelines because they lack legal knowledge. They trust that everything is moving at the speed it needs to. The opacity of legal work—combined with legal jargon—makes it easy for firms to “explain away” delays as necessary or normal.

And when you finally ask for updates, guess what? That 15-minute call just added £100–£200 to your invoice.

So What Can You Do?

1. Ask for clear timelines up front and hold your lawyer accountable to them.

2. Negotiate flat fees or capped rates for services when possible.

3. Request detailed billing reports so you can see where your money is going.

4. Don’t be afraid to question delays. Ask what’s causing the holdup and whether it’s really necessary.

   
   

The legal system is inherently complex—but it doesn’t always have to move at a glacial pace. While not all firms abuse the system, the structure of billable hours and lack of transparency create an environment where delays are not only tolerated—they’re rewarded.

When legal firms profit from inefficiency, the client always pays the price.

It’s time for more transparency, more accountability—and a legal industry that works as hard to resolve your issue as it does to invoice you for it.