The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has published today the tenth 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 June 2021:
- The overall level of new cases registered is 81% of the average monthly pre-COVID level.
- Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, are 17% higher than the average monthly pre-COVID level.
- 47 High Court evidence led trials commenced, which is 12% higher than the average pre-COVID level.
- 62 High Court cases were concluded, which is 92% of the average pre-COVID level.
- 88 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is 93% of the average pre-COVID level.
- 459 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 107% of the average pre-COVID level.
- 471 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 81% of the average pre-COVID levels
- 4547 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 95% of the average pre-COVID level.
David Fraser, SCTS Executive Director Court Operations said:
“Jury trials in the High Court and Sheriff Courts continue to operate at pre-COVID capacity following the successful introduction of remote jury centres.
“Sheriff Court summary criminal trials recommenced on 19 April with gradual increasing of trial loadings from 17 May, where this could be safely accommodated, and these have already returned to four-fifths of the pre-COVID average. Justice of the Peace business restarted on 7 June.
“The excellent collaboration across the judiciary, justice organisations, the legal profession and the third sector has helped get court business back on track and this remains crucial in planning for the recovery programme commencing in September. We will continue to publish these figures on a monthly basis to illustrate the progress we are making and the challenges still being faced.”
The workbook is available at: http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/official-statistics