Legal news
You are currently filtering for: criminal-court-work

Judges change views on not proven, corroboration reform
Consultation response reveals majority now favour double abolition

Majority favour two verdicts: Scots consultation report
Analysis finds preference for guilty/not guilty, and jury size still 15

Criminal cases halved in COVID year 1: official figures
Statistics show 46% fall in cases coming to court in 2020-21

Court figures show criminal case levels for 2021-22
Business roughly doubles on 2020-21 but remains below pre-COVID levels

Remote jury centres begin to wind down
Jurors to return to courtrooms between July and September

Victim protection the focus of new justice proposals
Consultation opens on reforms including anonymity and specialist courts

Failure to note reasons did not vitiate short jail term
Sheriff’s approach justified for dangerous and drink driving in HGV

Criminal court business pulls ahead during March
Most courts running above pre-COVID case numbers

Courts revise COVID measures in line with law changes
Public access to court buildings allowed from next week

Post-COVID justice reforms need more data, MSPs report
Stage 1 report calls for greater consensus before fundamental changes made

Faculty holds to support for not proven verdict
Abolition would require new safeguards for accused persons

Waiting times for trial revealed in SCTS monthly data
Case throughput rose during February but still below pre-COVID average

Omicron effect on criminal courts continued in January
Scottish Courts monthly workbook shows most business below pre-COVID levels

Fiscal's 1992 letter bars prosecution now: Appeal Court
Judges affirm 1976 Thom decision as good law

Sentencing young people guideline applies from today
Court must assess maturity, with rehabilitation as top consideration

Courts lift Omicron COVID restrictions
Less physical distancing and more in-person hearings from 31 January

Omicron hits December criminal court business
Throughput below pre-COVID average levels in all courts

Report calls for virtual summary domestic abuse courts
Lord Justice General and Victim Support back review proposals

Appeal Court discourages arresting absent complainer
"Not a satisfactory solution" in sexual offence case

Scottish courts tackle Omicron with new COVID measures
Increased physical distancing and reduced attendance planned

November court data show COP26 effect
High Court business well ahead, but sheriff court figures hit

COP26 impacts criminal case figures for October
Sheriff and JP court throughput dropped as conference approached

Sentencing Council sets out next priorities
Three year business plan proposes focus on specific offence guidelines

High Court approves young people sentencing guideline
Policy to encourage rehabilitation comes into effect on 26 January