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Monthly information on Criminal Case Throughput for November 2024

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has published today the latest monthly workbook to show the throughput of criminal cases in our courts. The overall number of scheduled trials in November 2024 have decreased by 374

Monthly Workbook

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 November 2024:

  • The overall level of new cases registered is 80% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • The overall level of cases concluded is 93% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, are 7% lower when compared with the average monthly pre-COVID level.

  • 3,576 accused arrived from Police custody this was 79% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • The overall number of accused remanded in custody during the period was 73% of the average pre-COVID level. Of those that arrived from Police Custody, just under 16% were remanded.

  • Overall, the courts use of bail was 96% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • Nationally, 30% of trials called were adjourned to a new trial diet. This is a 6 percentage point reduction, compared to 36% pre-COVID and a 29 percentage point reduction when compared to its peak level during the recovery period.     

  • There were 1,705 accused who received a warrant for non-appearance at court which is 111% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • The number of Community disposals issued by the courts was 134% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • The National average time between first appearance diet and evidence led trial, where evidence led trial occurred in November 2024 is 35 weeks, compared to the pre-COVID level of 21 weeks and the peak level of 50 weeks during the recovery period.

 

  • 73 High Court evidence led trials commenced which is 176% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • 102 High Court cases were concluded, which is 152% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 40 weeks for High Court, compared to the pre-COVID level of 22 weeks and the peak level of 66 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 99 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is 105% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • 616 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 127% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 35 weeks for sheriff solemn, compared to the pre-COVID level of 11 weeks and the peak level of 52 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 556 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 96% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • 5,367 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 104% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 36 weeks for sheriff summary, compared to the pre-COVID level of 23 weeks and the peak level of 53 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 1,810 Justice of the Peace cases were concluded which is 66% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 28 weeks for Justice of the Peace, compared to the pre-COVID level of 22 weeks and the peak level of 60 weeks during the recovery period.
empty Aberdeen Sheriff Court courtroom
General
19 December 2024 Communications