SCTS News

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has published today the seventh monthly workbook to show the throughput of criminal cases in our courts.

This shows the volumes of cases being progressed each month in the High Court,  Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Courts from April 2020, compared against the monthly averages for 2019/20 (pre-COVID).

The figures show that during the month of March:

• The overall level of new cases registered is 86% of the average monthly pre-COVID level.
• Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, are 31% higher than the average monthly pre-COVID level.
• 51 High Court evidence led trials commenced, which is 23% higher than the average monthly pre-COVID level. 
• 64 High Court cases were concluded which is 5% lower than the average pre-COVID level.
• 100 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is 6% higher than the average pre-COVID level.
• 468 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 9% higher than the average pre-COVID level.
• Evidence led summary trials in the Sheriff Courts are 43% of the average monthly pre-COVID levels, reflecting the continued lockdown and court restrictions in place.