Hamlet placed law's delay as fifth in his seven burdens of man. References to it are found as far back as the time of Julius Caesar. A case involving the city of Gelnhausen ... began in 1489 was, in 1734, still
waiting for the court's decision.... (F)or the most part, there has been little
improvement in a deplorable situation.
Book Review, Hans Zeisel, Delay in the Court (11 Wes. Res. L. Rev. 137 1959-1960)