Coronavirus (COVID-19): Justice Analytical Services Data Report - September 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.


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 Sheriff Summary or JP courts.

The number of people marked for proceedings in:

  • Solemn court (High Court or Sheriff & Jury) has been consistently at or above 19-20 average levels since April 2020.
  • Sheriff Summary court have, on the whole, remained below pre pandemic levels since April 2020. In September 2021, numbers were around 80% of the 19-20 average.
  • Markings for JP court have remained below the 19-20 average.
Chart: Subjects marked for court (bars – monthly count April 2020 to September 2021, dashed lines 19-20 average)
Bar chart showing the number of subjects marked for different court proceedings by month.

Fatal Accident Inquiries (as of 01 October 2021)

FAIs with scheduled court dates 34

FAIs with First Notice lodged, awaiting court dates: 2

Source:
Data in this section comes from COPFS Internal Management Information System.

SCTS Update

On September 6th, SCTS announced an increase of up to 16 additional courts per day to help return the justice system to pre-pandemic capacity and address backlogs. The new capacity provides 4 additional High Courts, 2 additional Sheriff Solemn courts and up to 10 additional Sheriff Summary Courts.

Contact

Email: justice_analysts@gov.scot

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