The latest monthly workbook from the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) shows the overall level of new cases registered in July 2022 was 78 per cent of the average pre-Covid level, while the overall levels of cases concluded was 97 per cent of the pre-Covid average.

The figures also show:

• Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, are 11% higher than the average monthly pre-Covid level.
• 42 High Court evidence led trials commenced which is 101% of the average pre-Covid level.
• 66 High Court cases were concluded, which is 98% of the average pre-Covid level.
• The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 46 weeks for High Court, compared to the pre-Covid level of 22 weeks.
• 70 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is 74% of the average pre-Covid level.
• 418 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 97% of the average pre-Covid level.
• The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 44 weeks for sheriff solemn, compared to the pre-Covid level of 11 weeks.
• 431 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 74% of the average pre-Covid levels
• 4,989 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 105% of the average pre-Covid level.
• The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 44 weeks for sheriff summary, compared to the pre-Covid level of 23 weeks.
• 2143 Justice of the Peace cases were concluded which is 84% of the average pre-Covid level.
• The average time between pleading diet and evidence led trial is 52 weeks for Justice of the Peace, compared to the pre-Covid level of 22 weeks.

David Fraser, SCTS executive director for court operations, said: “The statistics demonstrate the courts recovery programme is having an impact in reducing the backlog created by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The trial backlog has reduced by 7,500 trials since the start of the year, with the percentage of trials concluded above pre-Covid levels in the High Court and sheriff courts.

“The collaboration across the judiciary, justice organisations, the legal profession and the third sector is helping to effectively manage court business, including the ongoing delivery of the recovery programme. We will continue to publish these figures on a monthly basis to illustrate the progress we are making and the challenges still being faced.”