Figures from the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service show that during July 2021:

• The overall level of new cases registered is 77 per cent of the average monthly pre-Covid level.
• Petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, are 21 per cent higher than the average monthly pre-Covid level.
• 48 High Court evidence led trials commenced, which is 14 per cent higher than the average pre-Covid level.
• 58 High Court cases were concluded, which is 86 per cent of the average pre-Covid level.
• 76 sheriff solemn evidence led trials commenced which is 80 per cent of the average pre-Covid level.
• 453 sheriff solemn cases were concluded which is 105 per cent of the average pre-Covid level.
• 408 sheriff summary evidence led trials commenced, which is 70 per cent of the average pre-Covid levels
• 4,446 sheriff summary cases were concluded which is 93 per cent of the average pre-Covid level.
• 3,032 Justice of the Peace cases were concluded which is 19 per cent higher than the average pre-Covid level.

David Fraser, SCTS executive director court operations said: “Our court buildings continue to operate in accordance with guidance from Public Health Scotland to safeguard our staff, judiciary and court users.

“Jury trials in the High Court and Sheriff Courts are running at pre-Covid capacity following the successful introduction of remote jury centres.

“Having restarted Justice of the Peace Courts trials on 7 June, we have already reached 119 per cent of pre-Covid levels and Summary throughput at the Sheriff Courts also shows a return to 93 per cent of pre-Covid levels.

“The excellent collaboration across the judiciary, justice organisations, the legal profession and the third sector has helped get court business back on track and this remains crucial in planning for the recovery programme commencing in September. We will continue to publish these figures on a monthly basis to illustrate the progress we are making and the challenges still being faced.”