The essay, starting from the recent Cartabia reform on criminal trial, examines the late antique legislation of the Theodosian Code, with specific reference to the constitutions related to the reasonable lenght of proceedings, especially those of second degree, to be concluded within peremptory terms, in order to guarantee the celebration of an aequum iudicium. The importance of the terms for the length of proceedings is also confirmed by Justinian’s reforms.