Omicron effect on criminal courts continued in January

Most categories of criminal court business remained below average pre-COVID levels during January, according to the latest monthly workbook from Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service.

SCTS said the figures reflected fewer court days being programmed during the early January festive period, along with the impact of the Omicron variant which resulted in reduced summary criminal trial loadings to manage overall footfall in the courts and an increased number of adjournments due to self-isolation requirements.

Overall during January 2022, the level of new cases registered was 78%, and of cases concluded 77%, of the average pre-COVID level, down from 82% and 84% respectively in December. Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, were 26% higher than the average monthly pre-COVID level, compared with 4% in December and 34% in November.

As respects particular courts:

• 47 High Court evidence led trials commenced, 112% of the average pre-COVID level, compared with 30 trials in December and 63 in November;
• 45 High Court cases were concluded, 67% of the average pre-COVID level (December: 56; November: 82);
• 56 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced, 59% of the average pre-COVID level (December: 52; November: 48);
• 357 sheriff solemn cases were concluded, 83% of the average pre-COVID level (December: 363; November: 414);
• 427 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, 74% of the average pre-COVID level (December: 422; November: 385);
• 4,126 sheriff summary cases were concluded, 86% of the average pre-COVID level (December: 4,410; November: 4,162);
• 1,513 justice of the peace cases were concluded, 59% of the average pre-COVID level (December: 1,781; November: 1,981).

David Fraser, SCTS executive director, court operations commented: "As the impact of the COVID Omicron variant reduced, we were able to ease the restrictions in our courts at the end of January while continuing to maintain necessary baseline safety measures.

"The collaboration across the judiciary, justice organisations, the legal profession and the third sector is helping to effectively manage court business, including the ongoing delivery of the recovery programme. We will continue to publish these figures on a monthly basis to illustrate the progress we are making and the challenges still being faced."

Access the workbook at www.scotcourts.gov.uk/official-statistics