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The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) has published today to show the throughput of criminal cases in our courts for March
The Monthly Workbook 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 March 2026 have reduced by 429 when compared to last month.
The figures show that during March 2026:
The overall level of new cases registered is 90% of the average pre-COVID level.
The overall level of cases concluded is 95% of the average pre-COVID level.
Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, are 127% of the average monthly pre-COVID level.
3,852 accused arrived from Police custody this was 86% of the average pre-COVID level.
The overall number of accused remanded in custody during the period was 83% of the average pre-COVID level. Of those that arrived from Police Custody, 17.2% were remanded.
Overall, the courts use of bail was 8% higher 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 1,961 accused who received a warrant for non-appearance at court which is 128% of the average pre-COVID level.
The number of Community disposals issued by the courts was 137% of the average pre-COVID level.
The National average time between first appearance diet and evidence led trial, where evidence led trial occurred in March 2026 is 33 weeks, compared to the pre-COVID level of 21 weeks and the peak level of 50 weeks during the recovery period.
71 High Court evidence led trials commenced which is 171% of the average pre-COVID level.
121 High Court cases were concluded, which is 180% of the average pre-COVID level.
The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 50 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.
735 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 151% of the average pre-COVID level.
The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 18 weeks for sheriff solemn, compared to the pre-COVID level of 11 weeks and the peak level of 52 weeks during the recovery period.
504 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 87% of the average pre-COVID level.
5,431 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 105% of the average pre-COVID level.
The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 35 weeks for sheriff summary, compared to the pre-COVID level of 23 weeks and the peak level of 53 weeks during the recovery period.
1,796 Justice of the Peace cases were concluded which is 65% 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.
Updates have also now been made to the Annual Overview, Crime or Offence Type, Protected Characteristics, Arrival and Liberty status, Warrants, Non Compliance of Community-Based Orders and Appeal Courts tabs to include the full financial year of data for 2025/26.
