SCTS provides update on clearing trials backlogs

Optimism over eliminating the post-Covid backlog of summary trials over the next year has been expressed by Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service, as it released its latest monthly workbook showing numbers of cases completed.

During January 2023, the overall level of new cases registered was 82% of the average pre-COVID level, and the overall level of cases concluded was 95% of that average. Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, were 20% higher.

Also during January:

• 53 High Court evidence led trials commenced, 128% of the average pre-COVID level, and 57 High Court cases concluded, 85% of the pre-COVID average;
• the average time between High Court pleading diet and trial was 54 weeks, compared to the pre-COVID level of 22 week;
• 82 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced, 87% of the average pre-COVID level, and 396 sheriff solemn cases concluded, 92% of the pre-COVID average;
• the average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial was 41 weeks for sheriff solemn, compared to the pre-COVID 11 weeks;
• 560 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, 97% of the average pre-COVID level, and 5,335 sheriff summary cases were concluded, 112% of the pre-COVID average;
• the average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial was 46 weeks for sheriff summary, compared to 23 weeks pre-COVID;
• 1,628 justice of the peace cases were concluded, 64% of the average pre-COVID level, and the average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial was 50 weeks, compared to 22 weeks pre-COVID.

David Fraser, executive director, court operations at SCTS, commented: "The overall number of scheduled trials has now reduced by 33% since the peak of 43,606 in January 2022, representing a 61% reduction in the trials backlog that accrued during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Through the court recovery programme we are aiming to return to a point where the number of scheduled cases being prepared for trial is around 20,000. Given the initial focus on summary trials we remain confident that summary backlog will be cleared by March 2024.

"Therefore the time is now right to switch court recovery resources from summary to solemn, which is more challenging with the continued increase in case levels. Plans are now in place to introduce a further two additional High Court and six additional sheriff solemn trial courts from April 2023, with the aim of clearing the High Court trial backlog by March 2025 and sheriff solemn by March 2026."