Evidence can be lost, witnesses become unavailable, and the actual value of the judgment is reduced.
Fortunately, research has shown that delay is not inevitable. Judges and administrators now know that justice is enhanced when a court supervises case progress from the time of filing, sets meaningful events and deadlines throughout the life of the case, and provides readible trial and hearing dates. By adopting principles and techniques of effective caseflow management, courts throughout the country have dramatically reduced backlogs and time to disposition. However, rural courts face unique challenges with limited resources, remote geographic proximity to much needed services, and the need to coordinate few people and many activities. While the fundamental principles of caseflow management remain the same, the practice of caseflow management in rural, and limited jurisdiction courts, varies.