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Monthly information on Criminal Case Throughput for November 2025

The overall number of scheduled trials in November 2025 have decreased by 301 when compared to last month.

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) has published today 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 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 November 2025 have decreased by 301 when compared to last month.

The figures show that during November 2025:

  • The overall level of new cases registered is 82% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The overall level of cases concluded is 81% 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.
  • 3,308 accused arrived from Police custody this was 73% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The overall number of accused remanded in custody during the period was 69% of the average pre-COVID level. Of those that arrived from Police Custody, 16.3% were remanded.
  • Overall, the courts use of bail was 8% higher than the average pre-COVID level.
  • Nationally, 30% of trials called were adjourned to a new trial diet. This is a 3-percentage point reduction, compared to 33% pre-COVID and a 29-percentage point reduction when compared to its peak level during the recovery period.
  • There were 1,681 accused who received a warrant for non-appearance at court which is 110% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The number of Community disposals issued by the courts was 115% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The National average time between first appearance diet and evidence led trial, where evidence led trial occurred in November 2025 is 31 weeks, compared to the pre-COVID level of 21 weeks and the peak level of 50 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 60 High Court evidence led trials commenced which is 145% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • 112 High Court cases were concluded, which is 167% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 42 weeks for High Court, compared to the pre-COVID level of 22 weeks and the peak level of 66 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 92 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is 97% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • 533 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 110% 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.

  • 453 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 78% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • 4,707 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 91% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 33 weeks for sheriff summary, compared to the pre-COVID level of 23 weeks and the peak level of 53 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 1,514 Justice of the Peace cases were concluded which is 55% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 25 weeks for Justice of the Peace, compared to the pre-COVID level of 22 weeks.
General
16 December 2025 Communications