In reality, most commercial disputes are settled before reaching court, but once started the litigation process may hinder an outcome.

Successive governments introduced various kinds of conditional fees, which by 2010 had produced something of a bonanza for lawyers and spawned organisations that are parasitic on the litigation process.

In such situations, the litigation process takes longer to conclude.

The tobacco industry has historically been largely successful in this litigation process, with the majority of cases being won by the industry.

As a result of the long and extensive litigation process, squatters settled onto parts of the ranch.