Expedited trials may be granted for terminally ill plaintiffs, elderly parties, or deteriorating evidence. Preference statutes provide automatic expedition rights for certain ages. Courts balance speedy resolution against adequate preparation time. Medical documentation supports health-based requests. Expedited settings may limit discovery scope. Opposition must show actual prejudice from acceleration. Financial hardship alone rarely justifies expedition. Courts consider docket congestion and judicial resources. Strategic use includes preserving testimony and maintaining witness availability. Expedited trials may pressure settlement negotiations. Some jurisdictions have special trial tracks for qualifying cases. Preparation intensity increases with shortened timelines.