Courts Service Annual Report 2024

The Courts Service Annual Report 2024 highlights a transformative year marked by continued modernisation, increased judicial capacity, and improved operational efficiency. With 20 new judges appointed, the judiciary saw a 25% increase in capacity. Technology upgrades enabled 165 courtrooms for video hearings, and 95% of charge sheets were processed electronically. # Key Highlights * _20 new judges were appointed_, representing a 25% increase in judicial capacity. ## Criminal Cases: * 390,158 new criminal matters presented; 356,045 finalised. * Central Criminal Court: 24% increase in disposals, 16% reduction in cases-on-hand. * 27,821 serious offences finalised (up from 26,486 in 2023). * 434 rape sentences were handed down; 62% ranged from 10 years to life imprisonment. ## District Court: * 350,852 less serious cases received; 309,787 disposed. * Drug offences: 27,783 new cases (down 16.5% over six years). * Public order & assault: 47,956 cases (up 9.6%). * Road traffic: 185,578 new cases (up 8.6%). ## Civil Cases * Nearly 184,000 new cases (up from 180,000 in 2023). * High Court: 21,371 new cases (33% increase over two years). * Personal injury: 12,989 new cases (down 41% from 2019); awards reduced by over 45%. ## Family Law * Domestic violence: 25,270 applications (steady with 2023). * Supervision & Care Orders: 21,684 applications (up 45% over two years). * Divorce: 5,004 applications (down 10% over two years). ## Appellate Courts * Court of Appeal: 341 new criminal appeals; 269 disposed of involving 2,014 offences. ## Other Civil Areas * Possession cases: 1,135 new; 141 orders granted. * Debt recovery: 22,584 new cases (up 31% over two years). * Planning & Environment: 241 new cases; 253 resolved (up 96%).