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Monthly information on Criminal Case Throughput for April 2025

The overall number of scheduled trials in April 2025 have decreased by 371 when compared to last month to 19,128.

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 April 2025 have decreased by 371 when compared to last month.

The figures show that during April 2025:

  • The overall level of new cases registered is 77% of the average pre-COVID level.

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

  • Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, are 98% of the average monthly pre-COVID level.

  • 3,298 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 73% of the average pre-COVID level. Of those that arrived from Police Custody, 17.4% were remanded.

  • Overall, the courts use of bail was 91% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • Nationally, 28% of trials called were adjourned to a new trial diet. This is a 9-percentage point reduction, compared to 36% pre-COVID and a 31-percentage point reduction when compared to its peak level during the recovery period.

  • There were 1,667 accused who received a warrant for non-appearance at court which is 109% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • The number of Community disposals issued by the courts was 132% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The National average time between first appearance diet and evidence led trial, where evidence led trial occurred in April 2025 is 31 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.
  • 84 High Court cases were concluded, which is 125% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 44 weeks for High Court, compared to the pre-COVID level of 22 weeks and the peak level of 66 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 100 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is 106% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • 709 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 146% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 21 weeks for sheriff solemn, compared to the pre-COVID level of 11 weeks and the peak level of 52 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 472 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 82% of the average pre-COVID level.

  • 4,843 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 94% 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.
  • 1,737 Justice of the Peace cases were concluded which is 63% 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 and the peak level of 60 weeks during the recovery period.
General
20 May 2025 Communications