Coronavirus (COVID-19): Justice Analytical Services Data Report - December 2020

Seventh release of a monthly data report on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the justice system in Scotland, including information from Police Scotland, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, and Scottish Prison Service.


Sheriff Court initiated and disposed cases by procedure

Initiated case numbers for ordinary cause and simple procedure are returning to 2019-20 monthly average levels, although they were lower than previous months in December due to fewer court days as a result of the festive period. Summary cause is lower than 2019-20 levels, while small claims have largely been replaced by simple procedure.

Likewise, disposed cases for ordinary cause and simple procedure are returning to 2019-20 levels, while summary cause are much lower.

In addition to lower volumes across all procedures, summary cause figures were heavily influenced by the emergency legislation which protects tenants during the pandemic, brought into force in April 2020 as part of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020. The provisions of the Act, although temporary in nature, have now been extended until 31 March 2021.

Procedures Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2019/20 monthly average
Initiated
Ordinary cause 1,597 2,013 2,000 1,885 1,512 1,928
Summary cause 202 384 181 154 186 1,132
Small claim 0 3 1 2 4 2
Simple procedure 1,375 1,964 2,633 2,282 1,668 2,695
Total initiated 3,174 4,364 4,815 4,323 3,370 5,758
Disposed
Ordinary cause 1,000 1,271 1,373 1,424 1,367 1,445
Summary cause 142 357 335 366 562 1,096
Small claim 2 13 4 2 4 5
Simple procedure 1,428 1,680 2,194 2,170 2,140 2,306
Total disposed 2,572 3,321 3,906 3,962 4,073 4,852

1. Figures exclude summary applications.
2. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.
3. Excludes Sheriff Personal Injury Court.

Contact

Email: Justice_Analysts@gov.scot

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