Coronavirus (COVID-19): Justice Analytical Services Data Report - March 2021
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. Ordinary cause numbers have exceeded 2019-20 average monthly levels for the first time since October 2020, while simple procedure is fluctuating. Summary cause is much lower than 2019-20 levels, while small claims have largely been replaced by simple procedure.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. In line with the rise in total disposals in March, ordinary cause and simple procedure cases increased in parallel. Summary cause are much lower than average, but have also increased in March in line with overall disposals.
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 Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020. The provisions of the Act, although temporary in nature, have now been extended until 31 March 2021.
| Procedures | Nov-20 | Dec-20 | Jan-21 | Feb-21 | Mar-21 | 2019/20 monthly average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initiated | ||||||
| Ordinary cause | 1,885 | 1,512 | 1,304 | 1,577 | 2,161 | 1,928 |
| Summary cause | 154 | 186 | 173 | 209 | 228 | 1,132 |
| Small claim | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Simple procedure | 2,282 | 1,668 | 1,819 | 2,181 | 1,823 | 2,695 |
| Total initiated | 4,323 | 3,370 | 3,296 | 3,967 | 4,213 | 5,758 |
| Disposed | ||||||
| Ordinary cause | 1,424 | 1,367 | 1,003 | 1,047 | 1,428 | 1,445 |
| Summary cause | 366 | 562 | 411 | 284 | 644 | 1,096 |
| Small claim | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Simple procedure | 2,170 | 2,140 | 2,364 | 1,754 | 2,148 | 2,306 |
| Total disposed | 3,962 | 4,073 | 3,779 | 3,087 | 4,224 | 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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