New figures released yesterday by the Lord Advocate show a significant increase in the number of cases being completed by the sheriff courts.

New figures released yesterday by the Lord Advocate show a significant increase in the number of cases being completed by the sheriff courts.

More than one in three offenders is now being diverted from prosecution - with some 37% offered fiscal fines or compensation orders.

Police are also handing out far more on-the-spot fines for minor offences, with an 11% decrease in the number of reports from officers to procurators-fiscal.

Following the introduction of reforms earlier this year, which meant more offenders being dealt with directly by the procurators-fiscal with fines rather than being sent to court, there has been a 30% increase in cases disposed of by sheriffs.

Since the changes were introduced the prosecution service has faced widespread criticism. Cases to be diverted from court were only meant to include minor infractions but in reality the process has led to a number of violent crimes being diverted, including a case of domestic abuse reported by The Herald.

The Crown Office has refused to reveal the nature of the guidelines given to fiscals to help them decide which cases should be diverted and which should go to court.

Elish Angiolini said: "For too long, justice in our summary courts has been delayed and frustrated by the system itself. It is therefore encouraging to see very positive developments with Summary Justice Reform in delivering swifter and more effective justice in our summary courts."