High Court - case volumes - for the 12 months ending 31 December 2025
| Case type | New business | Disposals | Total active as at 31/12/25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Proceedings | 1,293 | 1,140 | 2,080 |
| Originating Applications | 920 | 909 | 595 |
| Judicial Reviews | 222 | 203 | 167 |
| Insolvency | 2,385 | 2,410 | 726 |
| Civil Appeals | 311 | 289 | 194 |
| Criminal Trials | 162 | 158 | 173 |
| Criminal Appeals | 1,974 | 1,949 | 273 |
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 and s 86Q of the Sentencing Act 2002 (3rd strike cases).
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.