How we can help prevent people missing court dates

Gemma Fraser, Head of Insights and Intelligence at Community Justice Scotland, explains why we need to better understand why people fail to appear in court—and what we can do about it.

Warrants for defendants missing court dates in Scotland are on the increase – costing up to an estimated £8.5m a year in police time and custody.

In 2025–26, Police Scotland figures show that 37,077 arrest warrants were issued in total, with 64% relating to fail to appear warrants. Fail-to-appear warrants have increased by 17% compared to 2022–23, highlighting a growing pressure on the system. Enforcing these warrants requires a significant and dedicated response from Police Scotland. A single warrant can take almost four hours to process if an individual can be located on the first attempt, and considerably longer where further investigation or multiple visits are needed.

This level of demand places pressure on policing resources that could otherwise be focused on preventing and responding to crime in Scottish communities.

While warrants can be a necessary enforcement tool, they do little to address the underlying reasons why people miss court in the first place.

There are many factors that can lead to a missed court date. For some, a lack of safe, permanent housing means they do not receive written correspondence in time. Others may face mental health issues or lack access to transport. These barriers are often complex and interconnected.

A relatively small number of individuals account for a disproportionate number of warrants. Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service data shows that 663 people were responsible for 9,112 failure-to-appear warrants in 2025. Many of these individuals live in areas experiencing high levels of social deprivation, highlighting the link between social inequality and justice outcomes.

Without addressing these underlying issues, the cycle continues—missed appointments leading to warrants, arrest, and further disruption to already complex lives. 

There are, however, more effective approaches. Across Scotland, justice partners are working together to develop practical alternatives that make it easier for people to attend court. These include simple but impactful measures such as text message reminders, for people with access to digital devices, as well as tailored support for people on bail to help them overcome barriers to attendance.

By focusing on prevention and support, we can reduce unnecessary demand on the justice system while improving outcomes for individuals and communities. For the victims and witnesses to crime,  this can reduce delays in the justice process, associated anxiety, further harms and unanswered questions.

Reducing missed court appearances is not just about enforcement—it is about understanding people’s circumstances and designing a system that works with them, not against them.