§ Mr. Frank Fieldasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland what is the number and proportion of criminal cases which have failed to come to trial within 110 days and the main reason therefor.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandIn 1983, of the 242 High Court trials in which the accused was in custody six—2.47 per cent.—did not come to trial within the 110 days. Of these six cases the main reason was that the accused indicated in writing a plea of guilty, but subsequently pleaded not guilty. By then it was too late to comply with the procedural requirements whereby the Crown could proceed to trial within the 110-day period.
Of the approximately 330 sheriff and jury trials in 1983 in which the accused was in custody four—1.2 per cent. —did not come to trial within the 110 days. In two cases the accused was ill. In the third the accused changed his plea to not guilty at a late stage. In the fourth the plea in mitigation was inconsistent with the plea tendered. Accordingly a plea of not guilty was recorded, but it was not possible to re-indict the case within 110 days.