The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has published today the latest monthly workbook 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 from April 2020, compared against the monthly averages for 2019/20 (pre-COVID).
The figures show that during March 2024:
- The overall level of new cases registered is 86% of the average pre-COVID level.
- The overall level of cases concluded is 95% of the average pre-COVID level.
- Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, are 15% higher than the average monthly pre-COVID level.
High Court
- 59 High Court evidence led trials commenced which is 142% of the average pre-COVID level.
- 85 High Court cases were concluded, which is 127% 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.
Sheriff Solemn
- 107 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is 113% of the average pre-COVID level.
- 622 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 128% of the average pre-COVID level.
- The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 40 weeks for sheriff solemn, compared to the pre-COVID level of 11 weeks.
Sheriff Summary
- 515 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 89% of the average pre-COVID levels
- 5680 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 110% of the average pre-COVID level.
- The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 38 weeks for sheriff summary, compared to the pre-COVID level of 23 weeks.
Justice of the Peace
- 1,684 Justice of the Peace cases were concluded which is 61% of the average pre-COVID level.
- The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 33 weeks for Justice of the Peace, compared to the pre-COVID level of 22 weeks.