I am a lawyer and I would be sued by my client if I did nothing...

I am a lawyer and I would be sued by my client if I did nothing to expedite a court hearing in a case vital to my client's survival. An ex parte application for a speedy trial is the obvious route to ensure that there is a backup in the event of unsuccessful negotiations. What is the point of relying upon the common scenario of a last minute agreement reached by the respective lawyers on the steps of the courthouse if it may take months for a hearing to take place?