Further to the answer to question S1W-22602 by Mr Jim Wallace on 14 February 2002, how many High Court cases in (a) Scotland and (b) each c…

As I explained in the answer given to question S1W-22602 on 14 February 2002, the information is not available in the form requested. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. Postponement of cases in the High Court is a statutory procedure which takes place before the start of a trial and no statistics of such postponements are collected. However, the following table sets out the number of indictments registered in the High Court for 2001-02 and 2002 to 31 August 2002, the number of cases which had a plea of guilty tendered before evidence was commenced, the number of cases which proceeded to have evidence led, and the balance of cases which did not proceed either prior to, or on the day of trial, for a variety of reasons. These reasons may include cases not proceeding due to witness unavailability, not called in court or deserted by the Crown, or cases where a warrant is issued for the accused among other things. No information on the costs of postponements is collected. | High Court
2001-02 | 2002 (to 31 August)
Indictments registered | 1,489 | 547
Guilty plea entered | 680 | 271
Evidence-led trials | 397 | 186
Balance of cases | 412 | 90