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Monthly information on Criminal Case Throughput for August 2026

The overall number of scheduled trials in August 2026 have decreased by 83 when compared to last month.

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) has published today the monthly workbook for August 2026 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. The overall number of scheduled trials in August 2026 have decreased by 83 when compared to last month.

The figures show that during August 2026:

  • The overall level of new cases registered is 94% 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 96% of the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • 3,989 accused arrived from Police custody and this is 115% of the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • The overall number of accused remanded in custody during the period was 115% of the 2025/26 monthly average. Of those that arrived from Police Custody, 18.1% were remanded which is slightly higher than the 2025/26 monthly average (17.8%).
  • Overall, the courts use of bail was 9% higher than that of the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • Nationally, 27% of trials called were adjourned to a new trial diet, which is the same as the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • There were 1,677 accused who received a warrant for non-appearance at court which is 92% of the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • The number of Community disposals issued by the courts was 103% of the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • The National average time between first appearance diet and evidence led trial, where evidence led trial occurred in August 2026 is 30 weeks, three weeks less than the 33 weeks as at the end of 2025/26.
  • 45 High Court evidence led trials commenced which is 75% of the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • 83 High Court cases were concluded, which is 87% of the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 56 weeks for High Court, compared to the 50 weeks as at the end of 2025/26.
  • 91 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is equal to the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • 608 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 7% higher than the 2025/26 monthly average.
  •  The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 21 weeks for sheriff solemn, compared to the 18 weeks as at the end of 2025/26.
  • 404 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 89% of the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • 4,702 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 96% of the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 29 weeks for sheriff summary, compared to the 35 weeks as at the end of 2025/26.
  • 1,489 Justice of the Peace cases were concluded which is 89% of the 2025/26 monthly average.
  • The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 27 weeks for Justice of the Peace, compared to 23 weeks as at the end of 2025/26.
General
17 September 2026 Communications