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Tribunals and Office of the Public Guardian added to SCTS Statistics

Management Information workbooks detailing business volumes over time for Tribunals and the Office of the Public Guardian have been published today on the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service website.

This makes the SCTS Statistics webpage a one-stop shop for data relating to the main operational parts of the SCTS.

Tim Barraclough, Executive Director of Tribunals and OPG Operations said:

“I’m really pleased to welcome this significant step forward in providing further access to the data SCTS produces.  Users will now easily find volumes and trends for all parts of our operations - whether that is Tribunals, OPG, Criminal courts, Civil courts or Fines collection.  We are committed to improving our data transparency and ease of access for all data users.   So the work does not stop here – we’ll continue to develop these workbooks to provide even more useful metrics in the future for those interested in Tribunals and OPG.”

Also published today is the third edition of the enhanced 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 September 2025 have decreased by 918 when compared to last month.

The figures show that during September 2025:

  • The overall level of new cases registered is 76% 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 112% of the average monthly pre-COVID level.
  • 3,462 accused arrived from Police custody this was 77% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The overall number of accused remanded in custody during the period was 77% of the average pre-COVID level. Of those that arrived from Police Custody, 18.2% were remanded.
  • Overall, the courts use of bail was the same as the average pre-COVID level.
  • Nationally, 27% of trials called were adjourned to a new trial diet. This is a 6-percentage point reduction, compared to 33% pre-COVID and a 32-percentage point reduction when compared to its peak level during the recovery period.
  • There were 1,930 accused who received a warrant for non-appearance at court which is 126% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The number of Community disposals issued by the courts was 119% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The National average time between first appearance diet and evidence led trial, where evidence led trial occurred in September 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.
  • 91 High Court cases were concluded, which is 135% 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.
  • 83 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is 88% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • 527 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 108% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 23 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.
  • 5,002 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 97% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 32 weeks for sheriff summary, compared to the pre-COVID level of 23 weeks and the peak level of 53 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 1,776 Justice of the Peace cases were concluded which is 64% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 27 weeks for Justice of the Peace, compared to the pre-COVID level of 22 weeks.
General
21 October 2025 Communications