Coronavirus (COVID-19): Justice Analytical Services data report - August 2020

Criminal Registered & Scheduled Trials

Current Operational Guidelines

There were 22,437trials outstanding at the end of June 2020.

Between 25 March and 3 June all court business was consolidated into 10 sheriff hub courts. From 3 June, a number of additional 'hubs' were also opened to support custody business. All courts are now open although custodies continue to be managed at 18 specified court locations listed here (in Lothian & Borders custodies are processed locally with the exception of public holidays where they will call in either Edinburgh or Livingston as per the Sheriff Principals practice note).

Summary criminal business is now being programmed into all courts. Trial courts are programmed where custody trials and trials with vulnerable witnesses remain a priority. Custody trials remain a priority. All undertakings will attend local courts.

Criminal Registrations

Since lockdown, there have been 35,240 criminal registrations in the courts. 171

of these registrations have been COVID-19 related (0.5%).

On average since the beginning of lockdown:

• The number of indictments registered in the High Court is around 20% lower than 19-20 average levels.

• The number of indictments (solemn cases) and complaints (summary cases) registered in the Sheriff Court are around 17% lower than the 19-20 average.
• Complaints registered in the JP court are 49% lower than 19-20 levels.