Coronavirus (COVID-19): Justice Analytical Services data report - June 2020
First 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, courts and prisons.
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS)
Reports received by COPFS
The total number of reports received by COPFS decreased at lockdown. Numbers have increased in recent weeks but have mostly remained below last year's average levels (dashed lines).
Undertaking reports ↑ Consistently higher than 2019-20 levels
Custody reports ← → Similar to 2019-20 levels
First substantive marking
(FSM, flow out from COPFS weekly), interim & unmarked cases (COPFS stock of cases)
| Fiscal Week beginning 06 July | 19-20 weekly average | Weekly average since lockdown | % of 19-20 average |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Substantive Marking | 3,445 | 3,009 | 87% |
| Interim Marking | 2,971 | 3,513 | 118% |
| Unmarked | 16,477 | 11,225 | 68% |
FSM Reports ← → Returning to 2019-20 levels
Unmarked ↓ Around a third lower than last year.
Subjects marked for court
The type of court proceedings appropriate for a case depends on the nature of the crimes or offences involved. The most serious crimes are marked for solemn proceedings, whilst less serious crimes and offences will be marked for the JP court.
The number of people marked for proceedings in:
Solemn & Sheriff Summary Court – is higher than 19-20 average levels
JP Court – is increasing to 19-20 average levels
Lower numbers of JP markings in lockdown may reflect the reduction in low level crimes and offences detected by the Police during this time.
Subjects not marked for court
Fiscal fine limits were increased as part of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020. Overall, numbers of subjects receiving a Fiscal Fine have generally remained below 19-20 average levels (dotted lines) since lockdown.
All types of non court disposals have increased in recent weeks.
The number of subjects marked no action remains around 19-20 average levels.
Source: COPFS - Internal Management Information.
Contact
Email: justice_analysts@gov.scot
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