How long does a UDRP case take?
A UDRP case takes about two months from filing to the domain being transferred. The deadlines are fixed by the Rules, so the timetable is predictable in a way litigation never is.
Filing to transfer
About two months, filing to transfer
Complaint filed
day 0WIPO checks it complies with the Rules and notifies the registrar, which locks the domain so it cannot be sold or moved.
Formalities check
3 to 5 daysAmendments are requested if anything is missing.
Response period
20 daysThe registrant may reply. Most do not, though default does not win the case on its own.
Panel appointed
about 5 daysOne panelist, or three if either side asked and paid for it.
Decision
14 daysDecided on the documents. There is no hearing and no cross-examination.
Transfer
10 business daysThe registrar implements it, unless the registrant starts court proceedings in that window.
About two months, filing to transfer. Step 1, Complaint filed (day 0): WIPO checks it complies with the Rules and notifies the registrar, which locks the domain so it cannot be sold or moved. Step 2, Formalities check (3 to 5 days): Amendments are requested if anything is missing. Step 3, Response period (20 days): The registrant may reply. Most do not, though default does not win the case on its own. Step 4, Panel appointed (about 5 days): One panelist, or three if either side asked and paid for it. Step 5, Decision (14 days): Decided on the documents. There is no hearing and no cross-examination. Step 6, Transfer (10 business days): The registrar implements it, unless the registrant starts court proceedings in that window.
Stage by stage
| Stage | Time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Formalities check | 3 to 5 days | WIPO checks the complaint complies with the Rules and asks for amendments if not |
| Registrar lock | Within days of filing | The domain is locked. It cannot be sold or transferred while the case runs |
| Notification | Day 0 of the response period | WIPO formally notifies the registrant |
| Response | 20 days | The registrant may file a response. Most do not |
| Panel appointment | About 5 days | WIPO appoints one panelist, or three if either side elected and paid for it |
| Decision | 14 days from appointment | The panel issues a written decision |
| Implementation | 10 business days | The registrar transfers the domain unless court proceedings are started |
Can it be faster?
Not meaningfully. The twenty-day response period is fixed by paragraph 5 of the Rules and cannot be shortened, even where the registrant is plainly a squatter who will never reply. The registrant can request a short extension, which panels usually grant once.
What you can control is the time before filing. Gathering evidence and drafting takes us about a week from instruction. Cases that drift usually drift at that stage, because the evidence was not captured before the complainant contacted the registrant.
What happens to the domain while the case runs
It is locked. The registrant cannot sell it, transfer it to someone else or move it to a different registrar. They can continue using it, so a site that is actively harming you keeps running until the decision arrives.
If the harm is severe, phishing or malware for example, the registrar's own abuse process is faster than a UDRP complaint and the two can run in parallel.
After a win
WIPO notifies the registrar, which implements the transfer about ten business days after the decision. That gap exists because paragraph 4(k) lets the registrant start court proceedings in that window to stop the transfer. It is rare, and it happens.
You will need an account at the registrar to receive the domain. Set that up during the case rather than after, because the transfer window is short.