Independent public body administering Scotland’s courts and tribunals
The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has warned that average wait times for High Court indictments could rise to about 135 weeks by 2028/29 as crime rates and case complexity grow. Expansion of venues is planned, and digital reforms are sought to cut delays, but funding remains essential.
The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has forecast that average wait times from charge to verdict could rise to about 135 weeks for High Court cases by 2028/29. The pressure stems from a sharp rise in indictments, especially in serious sexual offences and domestic abuse, and a push to modernise court processes amid funding gaps.
Big changes to England and Wales’ criminal justice system are moving forward as overcrowding drives policy decisions. Government plans to accelerate prison construction and expand early release schemes have been revised after public backlash and safety concerns. Officials are also deporting foreign prisoners and reviewing IPP sentences to free up space, with new measures to monitor released prisoners.
Scotland is expanding GPS tracking and bail monitoring as part of a government push to tackle misogyny and violence against women. The measures include potential exclusion zones around victims’ homes or workplaces and faster police responses when conditions are breached.