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Domestic Abuse and Community sentence insights added to SCTS Statistics

In this month’s edition of the workbook data has been added regarding community-based orders and Sheriff Court Summary Domestic Abuse cases.

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

In this month’s edition of the workbook Sheriff Court Summary Domestic Abuse information has been added as a dedicated tab which includes a geographic breakdown and a range of useful metrics.

In addition, we have also included new data regarding community-based orders, which has never been available before to provide insights into the impact that non compliance of community sentences has on the system.

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 October 2025 have decreased by 859 when compared to last month.

The figures show that during October 2025:

  • The overall level of new cases registered is 82% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The overall level of cases concluded is 88% 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.
  • 3,421 accused arrived from Police custody this was 76% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The overall number of accused remanded in custody during the period was 78% of the average pre-COVID level. Of those that arrived from Police Custody, 18% were remanded.
  • Overall, the courts use of bail was 2% higher than the average pre-COVID level.
  • Nationally, 28% of trials called were adjourned to a new trial diet. This is a 5-percentage point reduction, compared to 33% pre-COVID and a 31-percentage point reduction when compared to its peak level during the recovery period.
  • There were 2,092 accused who received a warrant for non-appearance at court which is 137% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The number of Community disposals issued by the courts was 142% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The National average time between first appearance diet and evidence led trial, where evidence led trial occurred in October 2025 is 32 weeks, compared to the pre-COVID level of 21 weeks and the peak level of 50 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 68 High Court evidence led trials commenced which is 164% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • 114 High Court cases were concluded, which is 170% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 41 weeks for High Court, compared to the pre-COVID level of 22 weeks and the peak level of 66 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 94 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is 99% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • 543 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 112% 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.
  • 467 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 81% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • 4,966 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 96% 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.
  • 1,879 Justice of the Peace cases were concluded which is 68% 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.
General
18 November 2025 Communications