High Court - case volumes - for the 12 months ending 31 December 2023

Case type New business    Disposals    Total active   
General Proceedings 1,145 1,081 2,055
Originating Applications                              792 731 626
Judicial Reviews 160 203 116
Insolvency 1,647 1,664 545
Civil Appeals 274 237 189
Criminal Trials 167 190 182
Criminal Appeals 1688 1715 207

Definitions

New business
HC appeals – civil & criminal

New business includes all appeals filed in the High Court.


HC civil

New business includes all general proceedings, originating applications and judicial reviews filed in the High Court.


HC criminal trials

New business includes cases arriving in High Court for trial, cases where a retrial has been directed, split cases and cases transferred into the High Court under s 70 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011.

Disposals at delivery of final judgment, completion of sentencing or earlier final outcome HC appeals – civil & criminal


Disposals are counted at the delivery of the final judgment, or at an earlier final outcome

HC civil

Disposals are counted at the delivery of the final judgment, or at an earlier final outcome. They are limited to general proceedings, originating applications and judicial reviews.

HC criminal trials

Disposals are counted at the completion of sentencing, or at an earlier final outcome. Cases are disposed when sentencing or final outcomes are established on all charges, or when all active charges are joined into another case. Disposals are recorded in the categories of: Convicted and Sentenced, Found Not Guilty, Convicted and Discharged, Discharged Section 147, Not Proceeded With, Joined and Other Outcome.

Total active cases - all cases awaiting substantive hearing, final judgment, verdict/plea, awaiting sentencing or final outcome

HC appeals – civil & criminal

Active appeals are those cases that are proceeding to or awaiting a substantive appeal hearing or are awaiting the final judgment.

HC civil

Active cases are those cases that are proceeding to or awaiting a defended hearing or are awaiting final judgment. They are limited to general proceedings, originating applications and judicial reviews.

HC criminal trials

Active cases are those cases that are proceeding to or awaiting a jury trial, judge-alone trial, sentencing or final outcome.