Civil justice statistics in Scotland: 2019-2020

The 2019-2020 civil justice statistics in Scotland release includes main statistics tables, figures and supplementary statistics tables.


7. Statistical tables

Table 1: Civil law cases initiated and disposed of1 in the Court of Session2, sheriff courts3 and Sheriff Personal Injury Court4, 2011-10 to 2019-20

Table 2: Cases initiated and disposed of1 in the Court of Session, 2010-11 to 2019-20

Table 3: Cases1 initiated and disposed of2 in the sheriff courts3, by procedure, 2010-11 to 2019-20

Table 4: Cases1 initiated and disposed of2 in the sheriff courts3, by sheriffdom, 2010-11 to 2019-20

Table 5: Family procedure cases1 initiated and disposed of2 in the civil courts3, by case type, 2010-11 to 2019-20

Table 6: Family procedure cases initiated and disposed1 of in the Court of Session2, by case type 2019-20

Table 7: Family procedure cases initiated and disposed1 of in the sheriff courts, by case type 2019-20

Table 8: Family-related summary application cases initiated and disposed of1,2, by case type and final disposal, 2019-20

Table 9: Divorces granted1 in the civil courts by procedure, 2016-17 to 2019-20

Table 10: Dissolutions granted1 in the civil courts by procedure, 2013-14 to 2019-20

Table 11: Divorces granted by method of celebration and sex, 2017-18 to 2019-20

Table 12: Debt cases initiated and disposed of1 in the civil courts, by procedure, 2010-11 to 2019-20

Table 13: Debt cases initiated and disposed of1 in the civil courts, by procedure and final disposal, 2019-20

Table 14: Personal injury cases initiated and disposed of1 in the civil courts2, by case type, 2010-11 to 2019-20

Table 15: Personal injury cases1 initiated and disposed2 of in the Court of Session3, 2019-20

Table 16: Ordinary cause personal injury cases initiated and disposed of1,2 in the sheriff courts3, 2019-20

Table 17: Summary cause personal injury cases initiated and disposed of1 in the sheriff courts2, 2019-20

Table 18: Civil law cases initiated and disposed of1,2 in the Sheriff Personal Injury Court3, 2015-16 to 2019-20

Table 19: Damages cases initiated and disposed of1 in the civil courts, by procedure, 2010-11 to 2019-20

Table 20: Damages cases initiated and disposed of1 in the civil courts, by procedure and final disposal, 2019-20

Table 21: Repossession cases initiated and disposed of1 in the sheriff courts, by procedure, 2010-11 to 2019-20

Table 22: Summary application repossession cases initiated and disposed of1,2 in the sheriff courts, by procedure and final disposal, 2019-20

Table 23: Eviction cases initiated and disposed of1 in the sheriff courts, 2010-11 to 2019-20

Table 24: Summary cause eviction cases initiated and disposed of1,2 in the sheriff courts, by procedure and final disposal, 2019-20

Table 25: Petitions for judicial review initiated and disposed of1,2 in the Petition Department of the Court of Session, 2010-11 to 2019-20

Table 26: Civil law appeals initiated and disposed of1 in the Sheriff Appeal Court2, 2015-16 to 2019-20

Table 27: Civil law applications1 to the Court of Session for permission (leave) to appeal to UK Supreme Court, 2015-16 to 2019-20

Table 28: Civil law cases initiated in the Court of Session1, sheriff courts2 and Sheriff Personal Injury Court3, 2010-11 to 2019-20

Table 29: Civil legal aid grants1, 2, 2012-13 to 2019-20

7.2 Ancillary crave analyses

Table A1: Count of writs of initiated cases by case category and number of craves, sheriff court cases, 2019-20

Table A2: Count of craves on Debt cases initiated in the sheriff courts, 2019-20

Table A3: Count of craves on Eviction cases initiated in the sheriff courts, 2019-20

Table A4: Count of craves on Divorce/ Dissolution cases initiated in the sheriff courts, 2019-20

Table A5: Count of craves on Parental responsibilities and rights cases initiated in the sheriff courts, 2019-20

Table A6: Count of craves on Family-Other cases initiated in the sheriff courts, 2019-20

Table A7: Count of craves on Personal Injury cases initiated in the sheriff courts, 2019-20

Table A8: Count of craves on Damages cases initiated in the sheriff courts, 2019-20

Table A9: Count of craves on Repossession cases initiated in the sheriff courts, 2019-20

Table A10: Count of craves on Other cases initiated in the sheriff courts, 2019-20

7.1 Official statistics tables

Table 1: Civil law cases initiated and disposed of1 in the Court of Session2, sheriff courts3 and Sheriff Personal Injury Court4, 2011-10 to 2019 - 20
Cases 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 % change since 2018-19 % change since 2010-11
Initiated Court of Session 5,141 4,718 4,911 4,561 5,164 4,358 2,251 2,279 2,275 2,172 -5 -58
Sheriff courts 92,308 80,502 72,510 72,511 71,605 72,220 68,433 75,623 66,241 69,042 4 -25
Sheriff Personal Injury Court z z z z z 1,143 2,956 3,282 3,591 3,220 -10 z
All courts 97,449 85,220 77,421 77,072 76,769 77,721 73,640 81,184 72,107 74,434 3 -24
Disposed Court of Session 4,295 4,856 4,712 4,911 4,782 4,405 3,162 2,564 2,319 2,033 -12 -53
Sheriff courts 87,504 77,147 68,781 65,356 65,805 66,232 62,370 63,994 60,872 58,794 -3 -33
Sheriff Personal Injury Court z z z z z 172 1,363 2,541 2,962 3,077 4 z
All courts 91,799 82,003 73,493 70,267 70,587 70,809 66,895 69,099 66,153 63,904 -3 -30

1. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

2. First instance business only – excludes appeals and reclaiming motions.

3. Excludes summary applications.

4. Sheriff Personal Injury Court was established on 22 September 2015.

z refers to data not being applicable.

Table 2: Cases initiated and disposed of1 in the Court of Session, 2010-11 to 2019 - 20
Court of Session department Cases 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 % change since 2018-19 % change since 2010-11
General Department Initiated 3,688 3,354 3,536 3,258 3,812 2,922 1,005 933 994 986 -1 -73
Disposed 3,187 3,455 3,405 3,656 3,582 3,123 1,871 1,234 980 888 -9 -72
Petition Department Initiated 1,358 1,223 1,211 1,179 1,213 1,268 1,083 1,201 1,123 1,024 -9 -25
Disposed 1,035 1,299 1,191 1,126 1,062 1,136 1,157 1,186 1,207 1,016 -16 -2
Inner House2 Initiated 95 141 164 124 139 168 163 145 158 162 3 71
Disposed 73 102 116 129 138 146 134 144 132 129 -2 77
Total Initiated 5,141 4,718 4,911 4,561 5,164 4,358 2,251 2,279 2,275 2,172 -5 -58
Disposed 4,295 4,856 4,712 4,911 4,782 4,405 3,162 2,564 2,319 2,033 -12 -53

1. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

2. First instance business only – excludes appeals and reclaiming motions.

Table 3: Cases1 initiated and disposed of2 in the sheriff courts3, by procedure, 2010-11 to 2019 - 20
Cases Procedure 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 % change since 2018-19 % change since 2010-11
Initiated Ordinary cause 34,123 26,021 24,957 24,026 23,628 23,212 22,672 22,620 22,776 23,089 1 -32
Summary cause4 23,799 22,783 18,510 18,852 20,624 22,160 20,214 18,057 15,177 13,579 -11 -43
Small claim4, 5 34,386 31,698 29,043 29,633 27,353 26,848 18,857 32 39 29 -26 -100
Simple procedure4 z z z z z z 6,690 34,914 28,249 32,345 14 z
Total initiated 92,308 80,502 72,510 72,511 71,605 72,220 68,433 75,623 66,241 69,042 4 -25
Disposed Ordinary cause 29,768 23,410 20,733 19,575 18,768 19,102 17,210 16,123 16,991 17,329 2 -42
Summary cause4 24,036 22,434 19,831 17,876 18,984 20,638 20,557 16,647 14,138 13,156 -7 -45
Small claim 33,700 31,303 28,217 27,905 28,053 26,492 23,571 1,327 130 59 -55 -100
Simple procedure4 z z z z z z 1,032 29,897 29,613 28,250 -5 z
Total disposed 87,504 77,147 68,781 65,356 65,805 66,232 62,370 63,994 60,872 58,794 -3 -33

1. Excludes summary applications.

2. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

3. Excludes Sheriff Personal Injury Court.

4. The first phase of simple procedure replaced the small claims and the more straightforward cases under summary cause procedure from 28 November 2016.

More complex summary cause cases will move during phase two of simple procedure in due course.

5. There are still a small number of small claims cases being registered, mainly under the EU small claims procedure.

Table 4: Cases1 initiated and disposed of2 in the sheriff courts3, by sheriffdom, 2010-11 to 2019 - 20
Cases Sheriffdom 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 % change since 2018-19 % change since 2010-11 2019-20 cases per 1,000 population4
Initiated Tayside, Central and Fife 16,816 14,759 14,006 13,590 13,806 13,478 12,263 14,163 12,641 13,394 6 -20 12
Glasgow and Strathkelvin 17,784 16,305 14,313 13,433 11,517 11,853 12,514 14,074 11,803 12,947 10 -27 17
South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway 16,869 14,171 12,968 12,870 12,929 14,028 13,404 14,337 12,637 12,772 1 -24 14
Lothian and Borders 16,211 14,148 11,554 11,755 13,022 12,552 11,016 12,587 11,069 11,249 2 -31 11
North Strathclyde 12,954 10,577 9,932 10,447 10,096 10,286 9,715 10,521 9,755 10,254 5 -21 13
Grampian, Highlands and Islands 11,674 10,542 9,737 10,416 10,235 10,023 9,521 9,941 8,336 8,426 1 -28 9
Scotland total initiated 92,308 80,502 72,510 72,511 71,605 72,220 68,433 75,623 66,241 69,042 4 -25 13
Disposed Tayside, Central and Fife 16,081 14,343 13,268 12,476 12,782 13,079 11,504 12,434 11,727 11,431 -3 -29 10
Glasgow and Strathkelvin 16,134 15,630 13,544 11,828 10,303 10,139 9,961 11,879 10,715 10,065 -6 -38 13
South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway 15,979 13,749 12,466 11,801 11,655 12,524 12,022 12,244 11,967 12,172 2 -24 14
Lothian and Borders 15,957 13,494 11,595 11,029 11,700 11,538 10,435 9,528 9,267 9,194 -1 -42 9
North Strathclyde 12,218 9,921 8,803 8,949 9,590 9,358 8,911 8,985 8,955 8,442 -6 -31 11
Grampian, Highlands and Islands 11,135 10,010 9,105 9,273 9,775 9,594 9,537 8,924 8,241 7,490 -9 -33 8
Scotland total disposed 87,504 77,147 68,781 65,356 65,805 66,232 62,370 63,994 60,872 58,794 -3 -33 11

1. Excludes summary applications.

2. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

3. Excludes Sheriff Personal Injury Court.

4. Based on mid-2019 small area population estimates produced by National Records of Scotland.

Table 5: Family procedure cases1 initiated and disposed of2 in the civil courts3, by case type, 2010-11 to 2019 - 20
Cases Case type 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 % change since 2018-19 % change since 2010-11
Initiated Divorce / dissolution 11,018 10,678 10,355 10,573 10,301 9,981 10,112 9,459 9,591 8,880 -7 -19
Parental responsibilities & rights 2,713 2,272 2,751 2,479 2,587 2,240 2,433 2,416 2,562 2,567 0 -5
Interdict 262 329 370 352 292 278 265 310 310 217 -30 -17
Aliment 89 69 58 77 65 49 46 48 38 48 26 -46
Exclusion order 26 14 14 16 19 14 10 8 15 12 -20 -54
Nullity of marriage / civil partnership 2 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 z -50
Other 386 316 314 356 340 330 383 410 473 526 11 36
Total initiated 14,496 13,679 13,862 13,853 13,605 12,892 13,250 12,652 12,989 12,251 -6 -15
Disposed Divorce / dissolution 10,115 9,879 9,571 9,809 9,349 9,390 8,415 7,222 7,724 8,234 7 -19
Parental responsibilities & rights 1,596 1,542 1,638 1,634 1,575 1,613 1,624 1,738 1,899 2,015 6 26
Interdict 140 137 166 146 152 158 146 156 162 167 3 19
Aliment 50 64 32 54 40 36 40 31 27 31 15 -38
Exclusion order 8 6 6 8 4 8 6 5 9 6 -33 -25
Nullity of marriage / civil partnership 2 2 0 1 0 1 2 0 1 1 0 -50
Other 216 234 210 228 203 236 231 283 262 312 19 44
Total disposed 12,127 11,864 11,623 11,880 11,323 11,442 10,464 9,435 10,084 10,766 7 -11

1. Excludes family-related summary application cases, which are shown separately in Table 8.

2. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

3. Includes Court of Session and sheriff courts.

z refers to data not being applicable.

Table 6: Family procedure cases initiated and disposed1 of in the Court of Session2, by case type 2019 - 20
Case type Disposed
Initiated Disposed Absolvitor Dismissed For pursuer Expenses only Other
Defended Undefended Defended Undefended Defended Undefended
Aliment 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Divorce / dissolution 68 55 0 2 1 8 12 0 0 32
Ordinary divorce 40 27 0 2 0 8 12 0 0 5
Simplified divorce 26 27 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 26
Ordinary dissolution 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Simplified dissolution 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Exclusion order3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Interdict 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Nullity of marriage / civil partnership 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Parental responsibilities & rights 4 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
Contact 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
Residence 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other 5 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Total 85 61 0 2 1 10 15 0 0 33

1. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

2. First instance business only – excludes appeals and reclaiming motions.

3. Exclusion orders which suspend the right of a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant to occupy the family home.

Table 7: Family procedure cases initiated and disposed1 of in the sheriff courts, by case type 2019 - 20
Case type Disposed
Initiated Disposed Absolvitor For pursuer Granted Dismissed3 Expenses only3 Other
Defended Undefended
Aliment 47 31 0 5 4 0 21 0 1
Divorce / dissolution 8,812 8,179 3 257 2,845 4,761 291 0 22
Ordinary divorce 3,677 3,219 3 257 2,838 0 99 0 22
Simplified divorce 5,075 4,908 0 0 0 4,717 191 0 0
Ordinary dissolution 12 7 0 0 7 0 0 0 0
Simplified dissolution 48 45 0 0 0 44 1 0 0
Exclusion order2 12 6 1 1 1 1 1 0 1
Interdict 211 166 0 57 52 2 44 0 11
Nullity of marriage / civil partnership 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Parental responsibilities & rights 2,563 2,013 1 732 514 71 584 0 111
Contact 1,177 910 1 421 59 2 391 0 36
Residence 974 724 0 208 273 69 119 0 55
Other 412 379 0 103 182 0 74 0 20
Other 521 310 21 53 123 2 101 0 10
Total 12,166 10,705 26 1,105 3,539 4,837 1,042 0 156

1. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

2. Exclusion orders which suspend the right of a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant to occupy the family home.

3. Data from the new case management system is not currently split between 'defended' and 'undefended', therefore these have been combined into a single category.

Table 8: Family-related summary application cases initiated and disposed of1,2, by case type and final disposal, 2019 - 20
Case type Disposed
Initiated Disposed Granted Dismissed Refused Other
Adoption Petitions3 465 247 235 11 0 1
Extend/vary interim order4 3,636 1,372 1,270 92 3 7
Children's hearings – appeal4 682 264 99 28 97 40
Children's hearings – referral4 2,897 1,482 1,367 106 0 9
Children's Hearings Act 2011 - Other5 1,446 654 441 195 17 1
Permanence orders with authority to adopt 367 235 226 7 2 0

1. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

2. The number of summary application cases disposed of is likely an underestimate. For more information see the Civil Justice Statistics in Scotland 2019-20 bulletin (section 4.4).

3. Adoption petitions include both family adoptions and adoptions from care. Statistics on adoptions from care are available from Children's Social Work Statistics additional tables (see www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Children/PubChildrenSocialWork).

4. These case types represent equivalent actions from the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 and the Children's Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011. The statistics reported here differ from those reported by the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration due to differences in definition and timing.

5. "Other" includes Child Protection Order, Child Support, Child Assessment Order as well as a range of miscellaneous cases.

Table 9: Divorces granted1 in the civil courts by procedure, 2016-17 to 2019 - 20
Year Court Ordinary Simplified Total
2019-20 Court of Session2   27 24 51
Sheriff courts Total 3,116 4,716 7,832
  Mixed sex3,4 3,113 4,662 7,775
  Same sex4 3 54 57
Total   3,143 4,740 7,883
2018-19 Court of Session2 26 30 56
Sheriff courts Total 2,816 4,507 7,323
Mixed sex4 2,814 4,474 7,288
Same sex4 2 33 35
Total   2,842 4,537 7,379
2017-18 Court of Session2 31 26 57
Sheriff courts Total 2,638 4,174 6,812
Mixed sex4 2,637 4,167 6,804
Same sex4 1 7 8
Total   2,669 4,200 6,869
2016-17 Court of Session 40 36 76
Sheriff courts 3,088 4,776 7,864
Total   3,128 4,812 7,940

1. The statistics in this table and Table 10 do not equal the total number of disposals for divorce and dissolution shown in Table 6 and Table 7. This is because the statistics in Table 6 and Table 7 include all disposals of divorce/dissolution cases whereas this table and Table 10 only include divorces and dissolutions that were actually granted. In addition the statistics in this table and Table 10 were derived from a different data extract.

2. There have been no same sex divorces granted in the Court of Session since same sex marriages became legal.

3. There were 184 records on which sex was missing in 2019-20 for the sheriff court divorce statistics. Sex was inferred using other information available about these records within the database.

4. The sex for the divorce records refers to an individual's sex at birth.

Table 10: Dissolutions granted1 in the civil courts by procedure, 2013-14 to 2019 - 20
Year Court Ordinary Simplified Total
2019-20 Court of Session 0 1 1
Sheriff courts 7 44 51
Total 7 45 52
2018-19 Court of Session 0 3 3
Sheriff courts 5 59 64
Total 5 62 67
2017-18 Court of Session 0 1 1
Sheriff courts 7 62 69
Total 7 63 70
2016-17 Court of Session 0 5 5
Sheriff courts 3 75 78
Total 3 80 83
2015-16 Court of Session 1 2 3
Sheriff courts 5 88 93
Total 6 90 96
2014-15 Court of Session 0 2 2
Sheriff courts 3 76 79
Total 3 78 81
2013-14 Court of Session 0 3 3
Sheriff courts 7 51 58
Total 7 54 61

1. The statistics in this table and Table 9 do not equal the total number of disposals for divorce and dissolution shown in Table 6 and Table 7. This is because the statistics in Table 6 and Table 7 include all disposals of divorce/dissolution cases whereas this table and Table 9 only include divorces and dissolutions that were actually granted. In addition the statistics in this table and Table 9 were derived from a different data extract.

Table 11: Divorces granted by method of celebration and sex, 2017-18 to 2019-20
Year Sex1 Church of Scotland Roman Catholic Other Religions Humanist2 Civil3 Total
2019-20 Mixed sex4 1,691 598 816 153 4,568 7,826
Same sex 1 2 2 3 49 57
Total 1,692 600 818 156 4,617 7,883
2018-19 Mixed sex 1,770 571 793 116 4,094 7,344
Same sex 0 0 2 6 27 35
Total 1,770 571 795 122 4,121 7,379
2017-18 Mixed sex 1,741 550 851 89 3,630 6,861
Same sex 0 0 1 1 6 8
Total 1,741 550 852 90 3,636 6,869

1. The sex for the divorce records refers to an individual's sex at birth.

2. Humanist figures only refer to sheriff courts whose data collection now has a separate Humanist category. If there were Humanist divorces granted in the Court of Session, they would be recorded under 'Civil'.

3. This includes a very small number of irregular marriages. Irregular marriages which took place in Scotland before May 2006 can be made legal when established by a decree of declarator. These are rare, accounting for just 0.03 per cent of all civil and irregular marriages that took place over the last 50 years. More detailed data are available from the marriage and civil partnership section of the National Records of Scotland website. https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/vital-events/general-publications/vital-events-reference-tables/2019/list-of-data-tables

4. There were 184 records on which sex was missing in 2019-20 for the sheriff court divorce statistics. Sex was inferred using other information available about these records within the database.

Table 12: Debt cases initiated and disposed of1 in the civil courts, by procedure, 2010-11 to 2019 - 20
Cases Procedure 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 % change since 2018-19 % change since 2010-11
Initiated Court of Session2 4 8 6 5 70 8 6 14 9 1 -89 -75
Sheriff: ordinary cause 9,200 6,944 5,487 4,586 4,407 5,342 4,483 5,012 4,218 4,686 11 -49
Sheriff: commercial 223 266 222 241 378 335 259 249 305 227 -26 2
Sheriff: summary cause3 4,415 3,922 3,381 3,114 3,258 3,896 2,336 5 6 4 -33 -100
Sheriff: small claim3, 4 31,533 29,110 26,803 27,444 25,642 25,338 17,522 7 5 2 -60 -100
Sheriff: simple procedure3 z z z z z z 5,961 32,077 25,210 29,674 18 z
Total initiated 45,375 40,250 35,899 35,390 33,755 34,919 30,567 37,364 29,753 34,594 16 -24
Disposed Court of Session2 2 2 2 6 4 8 13 8 8 6 -25 200
Sheriff: ordinary cause 7,729 5,885 4,534 3,566 3,520 3,902 3,560 3,356 3,344 3,195 -4 -59
Sheriff: commercial 166 175 117 143 303 222 183 162 208 173 -17 4
Sheriff: summary cause3 4,337 3,884 3,324 2,906 3,199 3,490 3,024 284 35 26 -26 -99
Sheriff: small claim3, 4 31,026 28,934 26,023 25,876 26,319 24,953 22,149 1,214 106 46 -57 -100
Sheriff: simple procedure3 z z z z z z 962 27,549 26,569 25,461 -4 z
Total disposed 43,260 38,880 34,000 32,497 33,345 32,575 29,891 32,573 30,270 28,907 -5 -33

1. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

2. First instance business only – excludes appeals and reclaiming motions.

3. The first phase of simple procedure replaced the small claims and the more straightforward cases under summary cause procedure from 28 November 2016. More complex summary cause cases will move during phase two of simple procedure in due course.

4. There are still a small number of small claims cases being registered mainly under the EU small claims procedure.

z refers to data not being applicable.

Table 13: Debt cases initiated and disposed of1 in the civil courts, by procedure and final disposal, 2019 - 20
Procedure Initiated Disposed Disposed
Absolvitor For pursuer Decree by default Dismissed2 Expenses only2 Other
Defended Undefended
Court of Session3 1 6 4 0 2 0 0 0 0
Sheriff: ordinary cause 4,686 3,195 328 192 2,077 80 498 0 20
Sheriff: commercial 227 173 45 18 80 6 19 0 5
Sheriff: summary cause4 4 26 2 1 1 0 22 0 0
Sheriff: small claim4 2 46 1 0 4 0 40 0 1
Sheriff: simple procedure4 29,674 25,461 701 755 15,172 0 8,575 246 12
Total 34,594 28,907 1,081 966 17,336 86 9,154 246 38

1. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

2. Data from the new case management system is not currently split between 'defended' and 'undefended', therefore these have been combined into a single category.

3. First instance business only – excludes appeals and reclaiming motions.

4. The first phase of simple procedure replaced the small claims and the more straightforward cases under summary cause procedure from 28 November 2016. More complex summary cause cases will move during phase two of simple procedure in due course.

Table 14: Personal injury cases initiated and disposed of1 in the civil courts2, by case type, 2010-11 to 2019 - 20
Cases Case type 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 % change since 2018-19 % change since 2010-11
Initiated Road traffic accident 5,790 4,613 5,106 4,770 5,143 4,897 4,955 5,492 5,462 5,113 -6 -12
Accident at work 1,802 1,750 1,758 1,797 1,817 1,721 1,480 1,547 1,568 1,385 -12 -23
Clinical negligence 207 222 203 262 629 388 351 901 342 273 -20 32
Asbestos 345 294 436 320 458 413 470 568 638 615 -4 78
Other 955 931 1,190 1,138 1,163 1,347 1,122 935 1,136 1,190 5 25
Total initiated 9,099 7,810 8,693 8,287 9,210 8,766 8,378 9,443 9,146 8,576 -6 -6
Disposed Road traffic accident 4,607 4,619 4,130 3,893 3,970 4,197 3,630 4,382 4,258 4,087 -4 -11
Accident at work 1,529 1,627 1,570 1,653 1,623 1,560 1,205 1,328 1,408 1,382 -2 -10
Clinical negligence 124 133 154 178 195 238 232 231 299 260 -13 110
Asbestos 168 216 365 598 633 430 531 589 582 578 -1 244
Other 1,074 1,775 1,444 1,079 941 1,108 994 867 880 991 13 -8
Total disposed 7,502 8,370 7,663 7,401 7,362 7,533 6,592 7,397 7,427 7,298 -2 -3

1. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

2. Includes Court of Session, sheriff courts and Sheriff Personal Injury Court.

Table 15: Personal injury cases1 initiated and disposed2 of in the Court of Session3, 2019 - 20
Case type Initiated Disposed Disposed
Absolvitor Dismissed For pursuer Expenses only Other
Defended Undefended Defended Undefended Defended Undefended
Road traffic accident 112 116 81 0 0 25 1 4 0 5
Accident at work4 84 92 69 1 0 17 0 1 0 4
Clinical negligence 133 117 97 2 0 16 1 0 0 1
Asbestos5 116 112 58 3 1 45 3 0 0 2
Other6 95 109 38 36 0 17 1 0 0 17
Total 540 546 343 42 1 120 6 5 0 29

1. These statistics relate to cases that use personal injury procedure and standard ordinary cause procedure.

2. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

3. First instance business only – excludes appeals and reclaiming motions.

4. Accident at work includes vibration white finger and repetitive strain injury.

5. Asbestos includes all asbestos related conditions like asbestosis, pleural plaques, pleural thickening and mesothelioma.

6. Relative's claim is now included within 'Other'.

Table 16: Ordinary cause personal injury cases initiated and disposed of1,2 in the sheriff courts3, 2019 - 20
Case type Initiated Disposed Disposed
Absolvitor For pursuer Decree by default Dismissed4 Other
Defended Undefended
Road traffic accident 1,835 1,145 394 621 51 5 68 6
Accident at work 100 80 38 36 4 0 1 1
Clinical negligence 44 42 30 5 0 0 6 1
Asbestos 7 4 4 0 0 0 0 0
Slip, trip or fall 140 97 51 35 2 0 8 1
Other 133 73 37 20 2 0 14 0
Total 2,259 1,441 554 717 59 5 97 9

1. From 2 November 2009 personal injury cases with a claim amount of more than £5,000 are raised under an ordinary cause - personal injury court procedure. Either party can request permission from the sheriff to opt out of this procedure and use the standard ordinary cause procedure. All personal injury cases with a claim amount of more than £5,000 are shown in the table above, irrespective of the procedure used.

2. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

3. Excludes Sheriff Personal Injury Court.

4. Data from the new case management system is not currently split between 'defended' and 'undefended', therefore these have been combined into a single category.

Table 17: Summary cause personal injury cases initiated and disposed of1 in the sheriff courts2, 2019 - 20
Case type Initiated Disposed Disposed
Absolvitor For pursuer Decree by default Dismissed3 Other
Defended Undefended
Road traffic accident 2,386 2,086 645 633 198 4 592 14
Accident at work 21 23 13 5 2 0 3 0
Clinical negligence 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Asbestos 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Slip, trip or fall 65 64 38 13 5 0 8 0
Other 68 61 27 16 7 1 10 0
Total 2,557 2,234 723 667 212 5 613 14

1. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

2. Excludes Sheriff Personal Injury Court.

3. Data from the new case management system is not currently split between 'defended' and 'undefended', therefore these have been combined into a single category.

Table 18: Civil law cases initiated and disposed of1,2 in the Sheriff Personal Injury Court3, 2015-16 to 2019 - 20
Case Type Initiated Disposed
2015-164 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2015-164 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20
Road traffic accident 313 832 1,036 985 780 72 438 744 883 740
Accident at work5 469 1,153 1,272 1,305 1,180 75 555 1,006 1,153 1,187
Clinical negligence 30 105 83 133 79 1 29 49 73 101
Asbestos6 124 370 455 514 492 0 110 363 443 462
Slip, Trip or Fall 0 86 208 345 306 0 6 115 197 325
Other7 207 410 228 309 383 24 225 264 213 262
Total 1,143 2,956 3,282 3,591 3,220 172 1,363 2,541 2,962 3,077

1. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

2. Includes cases initiated and disposed within Personal Injury Chapter 36A.

3. Sheriff Personal Injury Court was established on 22 September 2015.

4. Figures for 2015-16 are part of a financial year, September 2015 to March 2016.

5. Accident at work includes vibration white finger and repetitive strain injury.

6. Asbestos include all asbestos related conditions like pleural plaques, mesothelioma, asbestosis and pleural thickening.

7. Relatives claim cases are included in 'Other'.

Table 19: Damages cases initiated and disposed of1 in the civil courts, by procedure, 2010-11 to 2019 - 20
Cases Procedure 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 % change since 2018-19 % change since 2010-11
Initiated Court of Session2 300 367 357 369 286 409 170 146 174 173 -1 -42
Sheriff: ordinary cause 630 491 496 447 400 412 658 538 748 1,351 81 114
Sheriff: commercial 163 37 34 51 46 15 25 13 17 9 -47 -94
Sheriff: summary cause3 453 488 382 441 271 222 292 1 0 3 z -99
Sheriff: small claim3 2,586 2,364 2,009 1,887 1,348 1,238 1,122 0 0 3 z -100
Sheriff: simple procedure3 z z z z z z 543 2,185 2,188 2,299 5 z
Total initiated 4,132 3,747 3,278 3,195 2,351 2,296 2,810 2,883 3,127 3,838 23 -7
Disposed Court of Session2 315 313 298 359 355 249 212 327 144 160 11 -49
Sheriff: ordinary cause 595 675 623 435 304 263 390 423 422 439 4 -26
Sheriff: commercial 18 30 8 16 24 140 19 10 11 9 -18 -50
Sheriff: summary cause3 457 452 383 340 287 205 267 41 1 3 200 -99
Sheriff: small claim3 2,397 2,149 1,982 1,758 1,380 1,266 1,239 87 3 2 -33 -100
Sheriff: simple procedure3 z z z z z z 49 1,843 2,260 2,237 -1 z
Total disposed 3,782 3,619 3,294 2,908 2,350 2,123 2,176 2,731 2,841 2,850 0 -25

1. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

2. Includes ordinary and commercial cases. Data refers to first instance business only - excludes appeals and reclaiming motions.

3. The first phase of simple procedure replaced the small claims and the more straightforward cases under summary cause procedure from 28 November 2016. More complex summary cause cases will move during phase two of simple procedure in due course.

z refers to data not being applicable.

Table 20: Damages cases initiated and disposed of1 in the civil courts, by procedure and final disposal, 2019 - 20
Court type Procedure Initiated Disposed Disposed
Absolvitor For Pursuer Dismissed2 Expenses Only2 Other
Defended Undefended
Court of Session3 Ordinary 104 94 74 6 8 5 0 1
Commercial 69 66 52 5 3 6 0 0
Court of Session total 173 160 126 11 11 11 0 1
Sheriff courts Small claim4 3 2 0 0 0 2 0 0
Ordinary cause 1,351 439 197 113 62 57 0 10
Summary cause4 3 3 0 1 0 2 0 0
Commercial 9 9 6 1 1 0 0 1
Simple procedure4 2,299 2,237 659 59 324 1,167 21 7
Sheriff courts total 3,665 2,690 862 174 387 1,228 21 18
Civil courts total   3,838 2,850 988 185 398 1,239 21 19

1. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

2. Data from the new case management system is not currently split between 'defended' and 'undefended', therefore these have been combined into a single category

3. First instance business only – excludes appeals and reclaiming motions.

4. The first phase of simple procedure replaced the small claims and the more straightforward cases under summary cause procedure from 28 November 2016.

More complex summary cause cases will move during phase two of simple procedure in due course.

Table 21: Repossession cases initiated and disposed of1 in the sheriff courts, by procedure, 2010-11 to 2019 - 20
Cases Procedure 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 % change since 2018-19 % change since 2010-11
Initiated Ordinary cause2 4,245 79 64 54 67 58 17 0 0 0 z -100
Commercial 4 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 z z
Summary application2 975 6,673 5,321 4,715 3,201 1,816 1,736 2,056 1,869 2,204 18 126
Total initiated 5,224 6,752 5,385 4,770 3,268 1,874 1,753 2,056 1,869 2,204 18 -58
Disposed Ordinary cause 5,083 253 90 74 61 53 26 0 0 0 z -100
Commercial 1 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 z -100
Summary application3 489 3,987 4,003 3,386 2,597 1,570 1,480 1,650 1,616 1,848 14 z
Total disposed 5,573 4,243 4,093 3,460 2,659 1,623 1,506 1,650 1,616 1,848 14 -67

1. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

2. Historically, repossession cases relating to mortgages and loans were dealt with under ordinary cause procedure. However, the introduction of the Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Act 2010 on 30 September 2010 led to these cases being raised instead as summary applications.

3. The number of summary application cases disposed of is likely to be an underestimate. Please see section 5.4 in the bulletin.

z refers to data not being applicable.

Table 22: Summary application repossession cases initiated and disposed of1,2 in the sheriff courts, by procedure and final disposal, 2019 - 20

Procedure

Initiated Disposed Disposed
Absolvitor For pursuer Decree by default Dismissed Other3
Defended Undefended
Repossession summary application 2,204 1,848 5 114 977 51 639 62

1. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

2. The number of cases disposed of is likely to be an underestimate.

3. Includes cases disposed as refused, dropped from roll and withdrawn.

Table 23: Eviction cases initiated and disposed of1 in the sheriff courts, 2010-11 to 2019 - 20
Cases Procedure 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 % change since 2018-19 % change since 2010-11
Initiated Summary cause 14,160 13,979 10,532 11,778 13,750 14,690 14,304 14,604 12,407 10,520 -15 -26
Disposed Summary cause 14,906 13,972 12,358 11,613 12,892 13,905 14,459 13,776 11,933 10,610 -11 -29

1. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

Table 24: Summary cause eviction cases initiated and disposed of1,2 in the sheriff courts, by procedure and final disposal, 2019 - 20
Procedure Initiated Disposed Disposed
Absolvitor For pursuer Decree by default Dismissed3 Expenses only3 Other4
Defended Undefended
Eviction summary cause 10,520 10,610 9 363 5,814 120 4,252 0 52

1. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

2. The number of cases disposed of is likely to be an underestimate.

3. Data from the new case management system is not currently split between 'defended' and 'undefended', therefore these have been combined into a single category.

4. Includes cases disposed as refused, dropped from roll and withdrawn.

Table 25: Petitions for judicial review initiated and disposed of1,2 in the Petition Department of the Court of Session, 2010-11 to 2019 - 20
2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 % change since 2018-19 % change since 2010-11
Initiated Judicial review  
Environmental 2 2 1 3 4 1 3 0 0 0 z z
Housing 4 1 0 1 2 13 15 15 9 18 100 350
Immigrants 266 195 224 231 323 393 262 267 316 259 -18 -3
Licensing board 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 z z
Planning permission 8 11 8 6 12 7 4 6 5 6 20 -25
Prison authorities 7 3 10 17 17 24 6 20 10 14 40 100
Social security benefits 0 0 1 0 1 3 5 4 0 0 z z
Other 54 31 48 49 39 55 48 45 61 65 7 20
Total 342 243 293 308 399 496 343 357 402 362 -10 6
Disposed Judicial review    
Environmental 1 2 1 2 0 1 1 1 1 0 -100 -100
Housing 3 1 0 1 1 7 17 15 10 15 50 400
Immigrants 182 267 229 203 229 314 397 308 365 256 -30 41
Licensing board 0 2 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 z z
Planning permission 5 11 12 4 7 12 5 6 3 3 0 -40
Prison authorities 12 95 101 19 10 23 13 24 21 15 -29 25
Social security benefits 0 0 1 0 1 1 2 5 1 0 -100 z
Other 39 34 26 40 38 43 50 51 48 63 31 62
Total 242 412 370 270 287 402 485 410 449 353 -21 46

1. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

z refers to data not being applicable.

Table 26: Civil law appeals initiated and disposed of1 in the Sheriff Appeal Court2, 2015-16 to 2019 - 20
Cases Initiated Disposed
2015-163 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2015-163 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20
Appeals from small claim 2 30 9 2 0 0 18 18 0 0
Miscellaneous 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
Payment 2 28 9 2 0 0 18 16 0 0
Appeals from summary cause 2 45 43 12 55 0 26 38 15 14
Heritable 2 29 27 11 51 0 21 25 5 13
Payment 0 13 7 0 0 0 5 7 3 0
Personal injury 0 3 6 1 3 0 0 5 4 1
Miscellaneous 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 1 3 0
Appeals from simple procedure 0 0 41 51 50 0 0 12 36 40
Debt 0 0 40 42 43 0 0 12 32 35
Delivery 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 0
Damages 0 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 2 4
Implement 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1
Appeals from ordinary cause4 44 175 140 122 127 3 100 118 107 80
Debt 23 40 35 21 22 2 38 29 16 12
Family 8 45 44 44 42 0 27 35 28 29
Personal injury 3 14 4 6 5 1 5 11 10 8
Commercial 2 7 13 13 11 0 4 8 12 7
Heritable 1 8 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Other 7 61 44 38 47 0 24 35 41 24
Other appeals5 0 36 53 79 62 0 25 49 45 34
Total 48 286 286 266 294 3 169 235 203 168

1. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

2. The Sheriff Appeal Court (Civil) was established on 1st January 2016.

3. Figures for 2015-16 are part of a financial year, January 2016 to March 2016.

4. Includes summary applications.

5. Other appeals include adults with incapacity, liquidation, sequestration, proceeds of crime and miscellaneous cases.

Table 27: Civil law applications1 to the Court of Session for permission (leave) to appeal to UK Supreme Court, 2015-16 to 2019 - 20
Year Initiated Disposed Disposed
Granted Refused Withdrawn
2019-20 15 16 1 14 1
2018-19 18 19 2 15 2
2017-18 20 25 2 23 0
2016-17 41 45 6 35 4
2015-162 16 4 1 3 0

1. Figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.

2. Applications relate to the period from 22 September 2015 and therefore do not cover a full financial year.

Table 28: Civil law cases initiated in the Court of Session1, sheriff courts2 and Sheriff Personal Injury Court3 , 2010-11 to 2019 - 20
Initiated Cases 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20
Repossession 5,224 6,752 5,385 4,770 3,268 1,874 1,753 2,056 1,869 2,204
Damages 4,132 3,747 3,278 3,195 2,351 2,296 2,810 2,883 3,127 3,838
Personal Injury 9,099 7,810 8,693 8,287 9,210 8,766 8,378 9,443 9,146 8,576
Family 14,496 13,679 13,862 13,853 13,605 12,892 13,250 12,652 12,989 12,251
Eviction 14,160 13,979 10,532 11,778 13,750 14,690 14,304 14,604 12,407 10,520
Debt 45,375 40,250 35,899 35,390 33,755 34,919 30,567 37,364 29,753 34,594
Other 5,939 5,739 5,093 4,514 4,031 4,100 4,314 4,238 4,685 4,655
All cases 98,425 91,956 82,742 81,787 79,970 79,537 75,376 83,240 73,976 76,638

1. Excludes appeals and reclaiming motions in the Inner House.

2. Includes summary applications for repossession cases only.

3. Sheriff Personal Injury Court was established on 22 September 2015.

Table 29: Civil legal aid grants1, 2, 2012-13 to 2019 - 20
Family subject matters 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20
Appeals - family z z z 32 39 34 38 29
Contact/parentage 3,590 3,345 3,043 2,669 2,804 2,599 2,767 2,927
Divorce/separation 2,295 2,240 1,929 1,814 1,817 1,688 1,627 1,699
Property/monetary 343 321 294 262 247 236 250 232
Protective order 530 407 328 284 301 315 290 265
Residence 1,412 1,360 1,190 1,120 1,192 1,179 1,350 1,575
Family/matrimonial - other 643 697 655 655 688 764 808 1,040
Total civil legal aid grants - family 8,813 8,370 7,439 6,836 7,088 6,815 7,130 7,767
Non-family subject matters
Adults with incapacity 2,663 3,024 3,587 4,083 4,385 4,603 4,802 5,123
Appeals - other 126 131 107 106 100 59 53 109
Breach of contract 30 31 15 16 17 10 15 6
Debt 125 99 122 109 120 82 58 60
Discrimination z 3 1 1 7 3 0 11
Fatal accident inquiries 8 12 12 12 16 14 19 10
Housing/recovery of heritable property 758 807 787 692 840 791 729 852
Immigration and asylum 173 198 277 333 234 189 301 238
Judicial review 68 75 65 80 35 90 64 76
Medical negligence 58 94 86 61 76 74 54 54
Reparation 231 235 187 193 239 90 103 101
Other 374 330 292 295 268 273 233 418
Total civil legal aid grants - non-family 4,614 5,039 5,538 5,981 6,337 6,278 6,431 7,058
Total civil legal aid grants 13,427 13,409 12,977 12,817 13,425 13,093 13,561 14,825

1. Figures supplied by the Scottish Legal Aid Board.

2. Note that, granted cases may not always proceed.

z refers to data not being applicable.

7.2 Ancillary crave analyses

Table A1: Count of writs of initiated cases by case category and number of craves, sheriff court cases, 2019-20
Case category Total writs Number of craves Percentages of writs with… Total craves
1 2 3+ 1 crave 2 craves 3+ craves
Debt   34,592 33,024 902 666 95% 3% 2% 37,177
Eviction   10,520 6,102 3,667 751 58% 35% 7% 15,697
Family Total Family 12,165 10,118 894 1,153 83% 7% 9% 16,621
Divorce/Dissolution 8,812 8,137 274 401 92% 3% 5% 10,534
Parental responsibilities and rights 2,563 1,526 496 541 60% 19% 21% 4,555
Other1 790 455 124 211 58% 16% 27% 1,532
Personal Injury2   8,036 7,416 604 16 92% 8% 0% 8,678
Damages   3,666 3,518 128 20 96% 3% 1% 3,852
Repossession3   2,204 1,931 53 220 88% 2% 10% 2,806
Other   3,283 2,248 667 368 68% 20% 11% 5,041
Total   74,466 64,357 6,915 3,194 86% 9% 4% 89,872

1. Family-Other includes 'Other', Aliment, Interdict, Exclusion order and Nullity of marriage/ civil partnership.

2. Personal Injury data includes Sheriff Personal Injury Court.

3. All other summary application registrations are excluded in this Table except Repossessions.

Table A2: Count of craves on Debt cases initiated in the sheriff courts, 2019-20
Crave Count Craves Count
Payment of money 36,256 Capital Sum 2
Other 271 Delivery of child 1
Expenses 241 Exclusion order 1
Delivery of moveable goods 236 Incidental Order 1
Damages 91 Occupancy Rights 1
Repossession 37 Parental Rights and Responsibilities 1
Declarator 25
Implement 9 Total craves count 37,177
Interdict 4 Total writs 34,592
Table A3: Count of craves on Eviction cases initiated in the sheriff courts, 2019-20
Crave Count Crave Count
Recovery of heritable property 6,813 Occupancy Rights 2
Payment of money 4,379 Capital Sum 1
Repossession 2,402 Delivery of moveable goods 1
Summary Cause Recovery of Property 1,161
Expenses 786
Other 144
Damages 3
Parental Rights and Responsibilities 3 Total craves count 15,697
Declarator 2 Total writs 10,520
Table A4: Count of craves on Divorce/ Dissolution cases initiated in the sheriff courts, 2019-20
Crave Count Crave Count
Divorce 8,751 Exclusion order 21
Other 273 Periodical Allowance 20
Expenses 227 Interim Interdict 16
Capital Sum 173 Declarator 15
Division and Sale 171 Interim aliment 14
Payment of money 121 Parental Rights and Responsibilities 10
Intimation to interested party 120 Delivery of moveable goods 9
Interdict 103 Non-Harassment Order 6
Transfer of Property 101 Occupancy Rights 6
Residence of child 88 Delivery of child 3
Pension Sharing Order 85 Implement 2
Dissolution 61 Interim Trustee 2
Contact 40
Incidental Order 37
Aliment 36 Total craves count 10,534
Power of Arrest 23 Total writs 8,812
Table A5: Count of craves on Parental responsibilities and rights cases initiated in the sheriff courts, 2019-20
Crave Count Crave Count
Contact 1,354 Interim aliment 3
Residence of child 1,168 Payment of money 2
Parental Rights and Responsibilities 593 Aliment 1
Other 391 Capital Sum 1
Interdict 333 Delivery of moveable goods 1
Expenses 254 Incidental Order 1
Intimation to interested party 232 Removal of Guardian 1
Delivery of child 93 Transfer of Property 1
Interim Interdict 57
Power of Arrest 31
Declarator 28
Non-Harassment Order 6 Total craves count 4,555
Exclusion order 4 Total writs 2,563
Table A6: Count of craves on Family-Other cases initiated in the sheriff courts, 2019-20
Crave Count Crave Count
Other 358 Exclusion order 26
Interdict 309 Interim Interdict 14
Declarator 142 Non-Harassment Order 13
Residence of child 132 Division and Sale 7
Delivery of child 103 Transfer of Property 6
Contact 77 Delivery of moveable goods 3
Expenses 62 Occupancy Rights 3
Parental Rights and Responsibilities 54 Implement 2
Capital Sum 51
Aliment 49
Power of Arrest 44
Intimation to interested party 40 Total craves count 1,532
Payment of money 37 Total writs 790
Table A7: Count of craves on Personal Injury cases initiated in the sheriff courts, 2019-20
Crave Count
Damages 7,845
Payment of money 291
Expenses 267
Provisional damages 229
Other 22
Declarator 13
Personal Injury Summary Cause 11
Total craves count 8,678
Total writs 8,036
Table A8: Count of craves on Damages cases initiated in the sheriff courts, 2019-20
Crave Count
Damages 3,647
Payment of money 139
Expenses 45
Other 15
Declarator 5
Interdict 1
Total craves 3,852
Total writs 3,666
Table A9: Count of craves on Repossession cases initiated in the sheriff courts, 2019-20
Crave Count
Repossession 2,191
Other 304
Declarator 165
Expenses 103
Payment of money 17
Recovery of heritable property 15
Intimation to interested party 11
Total craves count 2,806
Total writs 2,204
Table A10: Count of craves on Other cases initiated in the sheriff courts, 2019-20
Crave Count Crave Count
Delivery of moveable goods 1714 Interim Interdict 20
Payment of money 1024 Intimation to interested party 19
Other 657 Capital Sum 14
Interdict 584 Occupancy Rights 2
Declarator 309 Transfer of Property 2
Division and Sale 200 Delivery of child 1
Expenses 200 Exclusion order 1
Implement 115 Incidental Order 1
Prove the tenor 60 Pension Sharing Order 1
Power of Arrest 39
Repossession 31
Non-Harassment Order 25 Total craves count 5,041
Damages 22 Total writs 3,283

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