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Updated projections for criminal court business and August figures published

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) has published today the second edition of the enhanced monthly workbook to show the throughput of criminal cases in our courts. SCTS has also published its latest modelling which projects criminal business levels across Scotland’s High Court and Sheriff Courts over the coming years.

Modelling

The new modelling provides an indication of the likely levels of business (in the form of projected scheduled trial numbers and associated waiting periods) drawing on the current assessment of future case levels.  This provides an indication of the level of court provision that will be necessary to maintain an effective system and avoid excessive periods of delay.

 

Monthly Workbook

The monthly workbook published today 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 August 2025 have decreased by 879 when compared to last month.

The figures show that during August 2025:

  • The overall level of new cases registered is 73% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The overall level of cases concluded is 84% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, are 105% of the average monthly pre-COVID level.
  • 3,257 accused arrived from Police custody this was 72% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The overall number of accused remanded in custody during the period was 81% of the average pre-COVID level. Of those that arrived from Police Custody, 19.5% were remanded.
  • Overall, the courts use of bail was 7% lower than the average pre-COVID level.
  • Nationally, 26% of trials called were adjourned to a new trial diet. This is a 7-percentage point reduction, compared to 33% pre-COVID and a 33-percentage point reduction when compared to its peak level during the recovery period.
  • There were 1,783 accused who received a warrant for non-appearance at court which is 117% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The number of Community disposals issued by the courts was 125% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The National average time between first appearance diet and evidence led trial, where evidence led trial occurred in August 2025 is 31 weeks, compared to the pre-COVID level of 21 weeks and the peak level of 50 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 51 High Court evidence led trials commenced which is 123% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • 79 High Court cases were concluded, which is 118% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 48 weeks for High Court, compared to the pre-COVID level of 22 weeks and the peak level of 66 weeks during the recovery period.
  • 96 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is 102% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • 522 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 107% 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.
  • 436 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 75% of the average pre-COVID level.
  • 4,803 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 93% 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.
  • 1,736 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 22 weeks for Justice of the Peace, which is in line with the pre-COVID level.
General
23 September 2025 Communications