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 

Judicial Appointments 

• 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%).