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 March 2022:
- The overall level of new cases registered is 91% of the average pre-COVID level.
- The overall level of cases concluded is 111% of the average pre-COVID level.
- Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, are 31% higher than the average monthly pre-COVID level.
- 55 High Court evidence led trials commenced which is 133% of the average pre-COVID level.
- 77 High Court cases were concluded, which is 115% of the average pre-COVID level.
- The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 48 weeks for High Court, compared to the pre-COVID level of 22 weeks.
- 95 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is the same as the average pre-COVID level.
- 461 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 107% of the average pre-COVID level.
- The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 45 weeks for sheriff solemn, compared to the pre-COVID level of 11 weeks.
- 604 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 104% of the average pre-COVID levels
- 5929 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 124% of the average pre-COVID level.
- The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 50 weeks for sheriff summary, compared to the pre-COVID level of 23 weeks.
- 2215 Justice of the Peace cases were concluded which is 87% of the average pre-COVID level.
- The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 54 weeks for Justice of the Peace, compared to the pre-COVID level of 22 weeks.
The workbook is available at: http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/official-statistics