Higher October throughput cuts scheduled trial queue

The overall number of scheduled trials reduced by more than 550 during October, Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service stated as it published its latest monthly workbook showing the throughput of criminal cases. 

The figures show that during October 2023:

• The overall level of new cases registered was 90%, and of cases concluded 96%, of the average pre-Covid level (September: 89% and 87% respectively; August: 95% for both figures).
• Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, were 8% higher than the average monthly pre-Covid level (September: 4% higher; August: 25% higher).
• 60 High Court evidence led trials commenced which is 145% of the average pre-Covid level (September: 57 trials or 137%; August: 62 trials or 149%).
• 94 High Court cases were concluded, which is 140% of the average pre-Covid level (September: 83 cases or 124%; August: 130 or 87%).
• The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial was 39 weeks for High Court, compared to the pre-Covid level of 22 weeks (September: 48 weeks; August: 46 weeks).
• 116 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is 123% of the average pre-Covid level (September was the same; August: 121 or 128%).
• 740 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 152% of the average pre-Covid level (September: 663 cases or 136%; August: 745 or 153%).
• The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial was 42 weeks for sheriff solemn, compared to the pre-Covid level of 11 weeks (September: 40 weeks; August 43 weeks).
• 452 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 78% of the average pre-Covid levels (September: 430 trials or 74%; August: 530 or 92%).
• 5,574 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 108% of the average pre-Covid level (September: 4,990 cases or 97%; August: 5,614 or 109%).
• The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 39 weeks for sheriff summary, compared to the pre-Covid level of 23 weeks (September: 38 weeks; August: 40 weeks).
• 1,736 justice of the peace cases were concluded which is 63% of the average pre-Covid level (September: 1,606 cases or 58%; August: 1,610 cases, also 58%).
• The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 45 weeks for justice of the peace, compared to the pre-Covid level of 22 weeks (September: 40 weeks; August: 38 weeks).

David Fraser, SCTS executive director, Court Operations commented: "The report published today continues to show the impact of the additional trial courts as throughput for solemn business remains high.

"Since February 2023, the sheriff courts have continued to receive a higher demand for summary trials than was modelled. While the October data shows the number of sheriff court summary scheduled trials has reduced for the first time this year, we will continue to review options  should the higher demand for summary trials be maintained."

The workbook is available at: scotcourts.gov.uk/official-statistics.

• Last week SCTS announced that the summary case management pilot scheme at Dundee, Hamilton and Paisley sheriff courts has led to one third fewer police witnesses being cited in domestic abuse cases in its first 12 months. At least 250 summary trials did not require to be assigned in the pilot courts, as a result of early resolution due to the scheme, which seeks to reduce the number of unnecessary hearings at summary level by facilitating early disclosure of evidence, early engagement between the Crown and defence and early judicial case management.