INEFFICIENCY and late decision-making in Scotland's criminal justice system cost the taxpayer an extra £40 million last year.

Audit Scotland said dropping cases late in proceedings resulted in an additional spend of £30m in 2009/10, while delays in prosecutions cost £10m.

The watchdog’s report said the delays are often caused by a lack of preparation by prosecutors or defence agents, as well as poor coordination in bringing prisoners to court.

The report – which warned of risks to the long-term sustainability of the justice service – also showed reoffending is a problem. More than two-thirds of offenders who were imprisoned in the year had five or more previous convictions.

Labour Justice spokesperson Johann Lamont MSP warned that the justice system – which cost an estimated £857m in 2009/10 – was on the wrong course.

She said: “This is a highly alarming report and shows the criminal justice system is in danger of moving in the wrong direction.

“The fact that late decisions not to proceed are costing the taxpayer £30m is simply not acceptable.”

John Lamont, Scottish Conservatives justice spokesman, added: “This report underlines yet again that much more could be done to streamline Scotland’s criminal justice system and much more has to be done to rehabilitate prisoners.”

The Audit Scotland report showed that cases often repeat stages in the court process several times – resulting in delays and mounting costs.

In September 2010, the Lord President Lord Hamilton called this repetition “an unacceptable waste of taxpayers’ money”.

It is largely caused by a lack of preparation in the case, delays in the disclosure of evidence or a shortage of availability of witnesses and experts.

Audit Scotland said police often put forward a case they knew was unlikely to proceed to improve performance detection rates.

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “The Audit Scotland report shows that the length of time taken to process summary cases has improved. Summary justice reform has been a major step forward in improving performance, and a shining example of the better joint working that is now happening across the justice system. But we have to go further to tackle the remaining inefficiencies within the system.”