National human rights institutions in the establishment phase have to build effective systems to ensure the quick and effective resolution of investigations. For NHRIs with the additional power to receive individual complaints, this part of the work assumes particular significance. It is not unusual, from the very earliest phases, to see NHRIs quickly overwhelmed with large numbers of cases. The dangers of being over whelmed are more serious in countries where established and familiar governance systems are in transition, have been eroded or have disappeared completely.