Definition: The percentage of cases (appeals/original proceedings) disposed of within established time guidelines.
Purpose: Timeliness is an essential aspect of resolving cases and providing the finality for which the appellate process is designed. This measure used in conjunction with Measure 3 (Clearance Rates) and Measure 4 (Age of Active Pending Caseload, is a fundamental management tool used to compare a court's performance for its own benchmarks and to state or national guidelines for timely case processing.