The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has published today the twelfth 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 August 2021:
- The overall level of new cases registered is 82% of the average monthly pre-COVID level.
- Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, are 30% higher than the average monthly pre-COVID level.
- 55 High Court evidence led trials commenced, which is 31% higher than the average pre-COVID level.
- 76 High Court cases were concluded, which is 13% higher than the average pre-COVID level.
- 83 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is 88% of the average pre-COVID level.
- 451 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 105% of the average pre-COVID level.
- 459 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 79% of the average pre-COVID levels
- 4654 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 98% of the average pre-COVID level.
- 2797 Justice of the Peace cases were concluded which is 9% higher than 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.
“Jury trials in the High Court and Sheriff Courts continue to operate at pre-COVID capacity following the successful introduction of remote jury centres.
“Summary throughput at the Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Courts shows a return to pre-COVID levels with 98% and 109% respectively.
“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 delivering the recovery programme that commenced this month. 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