The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has published today the latest 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 October 2021:
- The overall level of new cases registered is 81% of the average monthly pre-COVID level.
- The overall level of cases concluded is 84% of the average monthly pre-COVID level.
- Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, are 10% higher than the average monthly pre-COVID level.
- 54 High Court evidence led trials commenced, which is 29% higher than the average pre-COVID level.
- 70 High Court cases were concluded, which is 104% of the average pre-COVID level.
- 70 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is 74% of the average pre-COVID level.
- 403 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 94% of the average pre-COVID level.
- 439 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 76% of the average pre-COVID levels
- 4099 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 86% of the average pre-COVID level.
- 2022 Justice of the Peace cases were concluded which is 79% of the average pre-COVID level.
David Fraser, SCTS Executive Director Court Operations said:
“Our court buildings continue to operate in accordance with guidance from Public Health Scotland to safeguard our staff, judiciary and court users.
“The United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP26) ran from 31 October to 12 November in Glasgow. In order to release police officers to prepare for such a significant international event, Sheriff summary trials and Justice of the Peace trials across Scotland were suspended during the last week of October, with all Sheriff Court and JP court trials then suspended for the duration of COP26.
“The excellent collaboration across the judiciary, justice organisations, the legal profession and the third sector is helping to effectively manage court business, including the ongoing delivery of the recovery programme. We will continue to publish these figures on a monthly basis to illustrate the progress we are making and the challenges still being faced.”