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Monthly information on Criminal Case Throughput for February 2026

The overall number of scheduled trials in February 2026 have reduced by 704 when compared to last month.

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) has published today to show the throughput of criminal cases in our courts.

Monthly Workbook

This shows the volumes of cases being progressed each month in the High Court, Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Courts for the current financial year, compared against the monthly and weekly averages for historical years, including 2019/20 (pre-COVID). The overall number of scheduled trials in February 2026 have reduced by 704 when compared to last month.

The figures show that during February 2026:

  • The overall level of new cases registered is 80% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The overall level of cases concluded is 82% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, are 114% of the average monthly pre-COVID level.
  • 3,447 accused arrived from Police custody this was 77% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The overall number of accused remanded in custody during the period was 82% of the average pre-COVID level. Of those that arrived from Police Custody, 18.6% were remanded.
  • Overall, the courts use of bail was 4% lower than the average pre-COVID level.
  • Nationally, 27% of trials called were adjourned to a new trial diet. This is a 6-percentage point reduction, compared to 33% pre-COVID and a 32-percentage point reduction when compared to its peak level during the recovery period.
  • There were 1,807 accused who received a warrant for non-appearance at court which is 118% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The number of Community disposals issued by the courts was 123% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The National average time between first appearance diet and evidence led trial, where evidence led trial occurred in February 2026 is 30 weeks, compared to the pre-COVID level of 21 weeks and the peak level of 50 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 57 High Court evidence led trials commenced which is 137% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • 92 High Court cases were concluded, which is 137% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 45 weeks for High Court, compared to the pre-COVID level of 22 weeks and the peak level of 66 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 89 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is 94% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • 576 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 118% of the average pre-COVID level. 
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 21 weeks for sheriff solemn, compared to the pre-COVID level of 11 weeks and the peak level of 52 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 444 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 77% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • 4,786 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 93% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 30 weeks for sheriff summary, compared to the pre-COVID level of 23 weeks and the peak level of 53 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 1,525 Justice of the Peace cases were concluded which is 55% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 25 weeks for Justice of the Peace, compared to the pre-COVID level of 22 weeks.
General
17 March 2026 Communications