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Monthly information on Criminal Case Throughput for January 2025

The overall number of scheduled trials in January 2025 decreased by 728 when compared to last month to 21,134

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 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 January 2025 have decreased by 728 when compared to last month.

The figures show that during January 2025:

  • The overall level of new cases registered is 87% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • The overall level of cases concluded is 93% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, are on par with the average monthly pre-COVID level.

  • 3,492 accused arrived from Police custody this was 78% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • The overall number of accused remanded in custody during the period was 79% of the average pre-COVID level. Of those that arrived from Police Custody, 17.8% were remanded.

  • Overall, the courts use of bail was 99% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • Nationally, 30% of trials called were adjourned to a new trial diet. This is a 6 percentage point reduction, compared to 36% pre-COVID and a 29 percentage point reduction when compared to its peak level during the recovery period.  
       
  • There were 1,688 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 122% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • The National average time between first appearance diet and evidence led trial, where evidence led trial occurred in January 2025 is 34 weeks, compared to the pre-COVID level of 21 weeks and the peak level of 50 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 65 High Court evidence led trials commenced which is 157% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • 83 High Court cases were concluded, which is 124% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 46 weeks for High Court, compared to the pre-COVID level of 22 weeks and the peak level of 66 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 85 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is 90% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • 637 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 131% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 30 weeks for sheriff solemn, compared to the pre-COVID level of 11 weeks and the peak level of 52 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 500 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 86% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • 5,572 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 108% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 34 weeks for sheriff summary, compared to the pre-COVID level of 23 weeks and the peak level of 53 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 1,625 Justice of the Peace cases were concluded which is 59% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 28 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.
Inverness Justice Centre courtroom
General
18 February 2025 Communications