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.

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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 Summary cause is much lower than 2019-20 levels, while small claims have largely been replaced by simple procedure.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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