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).
For the first time the figures also include the average time between pleading diet and concluded evidence led trials.
The figures show that during February 2022:
- The overall level of new cases registered is 71% of the average pre-COVID level.
- The overall level of cases concluded is 92% of the average pre-COVID level.
- Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, are 16% higher than the average monthly pre-COVID level.
- 54 High Court evidence led trials commenced which is 130% of the average pre-COVID level.
- 57 High Court cases were concluded, which is 85% 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.
- 78 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is 83% of the average pre-COVID level.
- 427 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 99% of the average pre-COVID level.
- The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 44 weeks for sheriff solemn, compared to the pre-COVID level of 11 weeks.
- 552 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 95% of the average pre-COVID levels
- 4995 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 105% of the average pre-COVID level.
- The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 52 weeks for sheriff summary, compared to the pre-COVID level of 23 weeks.
- 1741 Justice of the Peace cases were concluded which is 68% of the average pre-COVID level.
- The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 56 weeks for Justice of the Peace, compared to the pre-COVID level of 22 weeks.
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.
“The average time between pleading diet and concluded evidence led trial has been included in the report for the first time. This provides a further insight to the throughput of criminal cases and the ongoing impact of Covid19.
“The collaboration across the judiciary, justice organisations, the legal profession and the third sector is helping to effectively manage court business, including the ongoing delivery of the recovery programme. 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