SCTS News

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).

Due to fewer court days being programmed during the December festive period, comparisons with the pre-COVID monthly average are lower. The December figures also reflect the impact of the COVID Omicron variant which resulted in reduced summary criminal trial loadings to manage overall footfall in the courts and an increased number of adjournments due to self-isolation requirements.

The figures show that during December 2021:

• The overall level of new cases registered is 82% of the average pre-COVID level.
• The overall level of cases concluded is 84% of the average pre-COVID level.
• Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, are 4% higher than the average monthly pre-COVID level.
• 30 High Court evidence led trials commenced which is 71% of the average pre-COVID level.
• 56 High Court cases were concluded, which is 83% of the average pre-COVID level.
• 52 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is 55% of the average pre-COVID level.
• 363 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 85% of the average pre-COVID level.
• 422 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 73% of the average pre-COVID levels
• 4410 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 92% of the average pre-COVID level.
• 1781 Justice of the Peace cases were concluded which is 70% 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.

“We intend reviewing the COVID Omicron restrictions in our courts during January in line with Scottish Government advice.

“The 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.”