Coronavirus (COVID-19): Justice Analytical Services data report - December 2021

This pack provides information on the impact of COVID-19 on the Justice system during December 2021.

Data has been gathered from a number of different sources and may be subject to future revision.


First substantive marking

When COPFS receive a report that someone has committed a crime the prosecutor must decide whether and what action to take. This is recorded on the case as a "marking". If a decision cannot be taken immediately, an interim marking may be recorded. When a substantive decision is reached a First Substantive Marking (FSM) is recorded, to indicate how the prosecutor has decided to proceed.

The number of accused given a FSM by COPFS in December 2021 has decreased below pre-pandemic levels and is the lowest value since April 2020 (it should be noted that public holidays and annual leave may lead to values for December differing from expectations). The number of unmarked reports in December 2021 is still below pre-pandemic levels and the number of interim marked reports is above pre-pandemic levels.

Chart: Marking status of COPFS reports (bars – monthly count April 2020 to December 2021, dashed lines 19-20 average)
Bar chart showing marking status of COPFS reports by month.

Contact

Email: Justice_Analysts@gov.scot

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