We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing experience.

Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies.

Cookies Page

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Search

What can we help you with today?

Skip to main

Enhanced monthly information on Criminal Case Throughput

Justice partners the media and others will have access to more user friendly, comprehensive, and closer to real time criminal information, adding value to the justice system.

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS)  has published today the latest monthly workbook to show the throughput of criminal cases in our courts.

For the first time, users will be able access monthly criminal data for individual courts and sheriffdoms – an enhancement from the previous quarterly updates. SCTS has also undertaken work to improve the layout of the statistics page on the SCTS website. 

For nearly 5 years, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has maintained two separate workbooks: the ‘Monthly Criminal Management Information’ which focused on national-level data and, the 'Courts Data Scotland - Criminal' workbook, which offered quarterly insights at court or sheriffdom level.

These two workbooks have now been merged into a new comprehensive workbook titled the ‘Courts & Tribunals Data Scotland: Criminal’. This new workbook will be published monthly.

Over the last year SCTS has increased and improved the amount of information available on these workbooks and further reflects our commitment to openness and transparency.

Monthly Workbook

This shows the volumes of cases being progressed each month in the High Court, Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Courts for the current financial year, compared against the monthly and weekly averages for historical years, including 2019/20 (pre-COVID). The overall number of scheduled trials in July 2025 have increased by 120 when compared to last month.

The figures show that during July 2025:

  • The overall level of new cases registered is 88% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The overall level of cases concluded is 83% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, are 120% of the average monthly pre-COVID level.
  • 3,611 accused arrived from Police custody this was 80% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The overall number of accused remanded in custody during the period was 76% of the average pre-COVID level. Of those that arrived from Police Custody, 16.7% were remanded.
  • Overall, the courts use of bail was 8% higher than the average pre-COVID level.
  • Nationally, 31% of trials called were adjourned to a new trial diet. This is a 2-percentage point reduction, compared to 33% pre-COVID and a 28-percentage point reduction when compared to its peak level during the recovery period.
  • There were 1,862 accused who received a warrant for non-appearance at court which is 122% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The number of Community disposals issued by the courts was 123% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The National average time between first appearance diet and evidence led trial, where evidence led trial occurred in July 2025 is 30 weeks, compared to the pre-COVID level of 21 weeks and the peak level of 50 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 62 High Court evidence led trials commenced which is 149% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • 97 High Court cases were concluded, which is 144% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 43 weeks for High Court, compared to the pre-COVID level of 22 weeks and the peak level of 66 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 90 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is 95% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • 575 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 118% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 19 weeks for sheriff solemn, compared to the pre-COVID level of 11 weeks and the peak level of 52 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 422 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 73% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • 4,765 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 92% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 31 weeks for sheriff summary, compared to the pre-COVID level of 23 weeks and the peak level of 53 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 1,588 Justice of the Peace cases were concluded which is 58% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 23 weeks for Justice of the Peace, compared to the pre-COVID level of 22 weeks and the peak level of 60 weeks during the recovery period.
General
19 August 2025 Communications