Definition
An enforceable timer on an institution's obligations once a decision is pending or challenged. It keeps running regardless of workload, staffing, or queue length, and pauses only under conditions declared in advance.
For example, a clock might start when a decision enters pending review. It can pause only for an agreed extension or a documented outside dependency, and only with an ombuds officer's approval on a public log. When it runs out, the case goes to human review and the person gets interim access. The person can see the clock.
Without a binding clock, delay works as power, silence is read as consent, and “we’re reviewing” has no end. With one, the institution pays for the waiting.
Temporal