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 annual, monthly and weekly averages for historical years, including 2019/20 (pre-COVID). The overall number of scheduled trials in December 2024 have decreased by 70 when compared to last month.

Due to fewer court days being programmed during the December festive period, comparisons with the pre-COVID monthly average are lower.

The figures show that during December 2024:

• The overall level of new cases registered is 76% of the average pre-COVID level.
• The overall level of cases concluded is 78% of the average pre-COVID level.
• Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, are 12% lower when compared with the average monthly pre-COVID level.
• 3,204 accused arrived from Police custody this was 71% 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, 17.5% were remanded.
• Overall, the courts use of bail was 86% of the average pre-COVID level.
• Nationally, 31% of trials called were adjourned to a new trial diet. This is a 5 percentage point reduction, compared to 36% pre-COVID and a 28 percentage point reduction when compared to its peak level during the recovery period.
• There were 1,410 accused who received a warrant for non-appearance at court which is 92% of the average pre-COVID level.
• The number of Community disposals issued by the courts was 112% of the average pre-COVID level.
• The National average time between first appearance diet and evidence led trial, where evidence led trial occurred in December 2024 is 35 weeks, compared to the pre-COVID level of 21 weeks and the peak level of 50 weeks during the recovery period.

High Court

• 29 High Court evidence led trials commenced which is 70% of the average pre-COVID level.
• 53 High Court cases were concluded, which is 79% 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.

Sheriff Solemn

• 65 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is 69% of the average pre-COVID level.
• 464 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 95% of the average pre-COVID level.

• The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 33 weeks for sheriff solemn, compared to the pre-COVID level of 11 weeks and the peak level of 52 weeks during the recovery period.

Sheriff Summary

• 401 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 69% of the average pre-COVID level.
• 4,479 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 87% of the average pre-COVID level.
• The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 36 weeks for sheriff summary, compared to the pre-COVID level of 23 weeks and the peak level of 53 weeks during the recovery period.

    Justice of the Peace

• 1,608 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 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.