Figures show slowing numbers of appeals
13 Sep 07
Drop in time to hearing accompanies lower volume of criminal appeals
The number of concluded criminal appeals against conviction and sentence fell by 25% in 2006-07 to just over 2,100, according to official figures published yesterday.
The total is the lowest recorded in the last decade and is in line with a fall in the number of appeals brought, of 24% from the sheriff summary courts, 32% from the district and stipendiary courts, 18% from the sheriff solemn courts, and 32% from the High Court.
The overall average duration of completed criminal appeals decreased during the year by 14% to 132 days. Appeals against conviction generally took longer to complete than appeals against sentence only - an average 372 days as against 162 days for solemn appeals, and 129 days compared with 79 days for summary appeals.
Of the total number of appeals completed, 64% were refused at the sift stage or otherwise abandoned. Of the remainder, 15% were subsequently dismissed, 5% resulted in a successful appeal against conviction and 17% in a successful appeal against sentence.