SCTS reports criminal business throughput for October

Rising levels of criminal trials, but some slipping back in totals of cases concluded, are revealed by the second of the new Monthly Criminal Management Information (MCMI) workbooks published by Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service. 

The October figures show:

• the overall level of new cases registered running at 78% of the average monthly pre-COVID level, compared with 83% in September;
• petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, at 15% higher than the average monthly pre-COVID level, compared with 25% higher in September; 
• with the introduction of High Court remote jury centres now in place, evidence led trials are now 67% of the average monthly pre-COVID level, compared with 43% in September, with the figure set to increase further during November as the normal capacity for 16 trials per day is restored;
• evidence led summary trials in the sheriff courts are now at 83% of the average monthly pre-COVID levels, compared with 76% in September;
• with the majority of criminal cases being resolved without the need for a trial, the total volume of cases concluded in October was 82% of the average monthly pre-COVID level, compared with 89% in September.

Remote jury centres are being extended across Scotland to restart sheriff court jury trials, with Lothian & Borders and Glasgow & Strathkelvin commencing by December and the other sheriffdoms following in the early part of 2021. 

The average waiting period for trials remains at 12 months in the High Court, 15 months in sheriff solemn and six months in sheriff summary, double the pre-COVID times.

SCTS chief executive Eric McQueen claimed the organisation was making continued progress towards pre-COVID levels, both in trials and cases resolved without trial, though scheduled cases were at twice the normal level.

"We are working closely with the judiciary, Scottish Government, justice organisations, the legal profession and the third sector to find solutions to reduce delays", he commented. "We will continue to publish these figures on a monthly basis which will show the progress we are making and challenges we still face against the backdrop of a global pandemic."

The MCMI workbooks are available at this link.