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Monthly information on Criminal Case Throughput for April 2026

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

Monthly Workbook

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. The overall number of scheduled trials in April 2026 have increased by 34 when compared to last month.

The figures show that during April 2026:

  • The overall level of new cases registered is 102% of the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • The overall level of cases concluded is 95% of the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, are 113% of the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • 3,747 accused arrived from Police custody and this is 108% of the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • The overall number of accused remanded in custody during the period was 105% of the 2025/26 monthly average. Of those that arrived from Police Custody, 17.7% were remanded which is comparable to the 2025/26 monthly average (17.8%).
  • Overall, the courts use of bail was 6% higher than the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • Nationally, 27% of trials called were adjourned to a new trial diet, which shows no change from the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • There were 1,816 accused who received a warrant for non-appearance at court which aligns with the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • The number of Community disposals issued by the courts was 105% of the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • The National average time between first appearance diet and evidence led trial, where evidence led trial occurred in April 2026 is 35 weeks, compared to the 33 weeks as at the end of 2025/26.
  • 52 High Court evidence led trials commenced which is 87% of the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • 103 High Court cases were concluded, which is 108% of the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 49 weeks for High Court, compared to the 50 weeks as at the end of 2025/26.
  • 90 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is 99% of the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • 566 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is equal to the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 20 weeks for sheriff solemn, compared to the 18 weeks as at the end of 2025/26.
  • 389 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 86% of the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • 4,760 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 98% of the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 37 weeks for sheriff summary, compared to 35 weeks as at the end of 2025/26.
  • 1,435 Justice of the Peace cases were concluded which is 86% of the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 29 weeks for Justice of the Peace, compared to 23 weeks as at the end of 2025/26.
General
19 May 2026 communications