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).
The figures show that during April 2022:
- The overall level of new cases registered is 77% of the average pre-COVID level.
- The overall level of cases concluded is 97% of the average pre-COVID level.
- Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, are 17% higher than the average monthly pre-COVID level.
- 50 High Court evidence led trials commenced which is 120% of the average pre-COVID level.
- 66 High Court cases were concluded, which is 98% of the average pre-COVID level.
- The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 49 weeks for High Court, compared to the pre-COVID level of 22 weeks.
- 75 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is 79% of the average pre-COVID level.
- 475 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 111% of the average pre-COVID level.
- The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 41 weeks for sheriff solemn, compared to the pre-COVID level of 11 weeks.
- 505 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 87% of the average pre-COVID levels
- 4987 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 53 weeks for sheriff summary, compared to the pre-COVID level of 23 weeks.
- 2093 Justice of the Peace cases were concluded which is 82% of the average pre-COVID level.
- The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 54 weeks for Justice of the Peace, compared to the pre-COVID level of 22 weeks.
David Fraser, SCTS Executive Director Court Operations said:
“The latest figures for criminal throughput are encouraging, with the number of High Court evidence led trials, and Sheriff Solemn and Summary Sheriff cases concluding above pre pandemic levels. While there is still a long journey ahead, the statistics demonstrate the courts recovery programme is having an impact in reducing the backlog created by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Once again we would like to thank all those in the judiciary, justice organisations, the legal profession and the third sector play a critical role in 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