The fourth Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service statistical bulletin also reveals that Sheriff Court solemn business shows a seven per cent increase in the volume of evidence led trials between 2017/18 and 2018/19 and a rise of four per cent when the two most recent quarters are compared.

Furthermore, Sheriff Court summary business has seen a six per cent decrease in the volume of evidence led trials between 2017/18 and 2018/19 but an increase of four per cent is seen when the two most recent quarters are compared.

Finally, the volume of evidence led trials in the Justice of the Peace Court dropped by 12 per cent over the period 2017/18 to 2018/19 but an increase of 11 per cent is seen when the two most recent quarters are compared.

David Fraser, chief operations officer, said: “The publication of the fourth report now provides a full year of data. I am delighted that we are providing this information on a regular basis which illustrates the trends in criminal cases over the last four years and represents another advance in the drive for openness and transparency on court activity.”