Scottish Diligence Statistics 2022-23

The total number of diligences carried out in 2022-23 was 263,570, a 6.7% decrease on the previous year. When compared with prior to the pandemic (2019-20), total diligences carried out decreased by 9.6%.

There are two warrant procedures used to pursue diligence: Summary Warrant and Non-Summary Warrant. Summary Warrant is granted in respect of central and local government debts, and Non-Summary Warrant for all other types of debt. The Summary Warrant procedure is further disaggregated to show those granted for the enforcement of council tax.

Further comparisons on warrant procedures shown in Table 1 below.

The majority (91.2%) of total diligences executed in 2022-23 were served under the Summary Warrant procedure in respect of council tax debts. Diligences executed in respect of council tax debts decreased by 5.8% compared with 2021-22. Since 2011-12, diligences executed in respect of council tax debts have increased by 28.4%.

Other Summary Warrant includes other types of local and central government taxes, duties and levies. Diligences executed under this warrant procedure increased by 6.8% in 2022-23 compared to the previous year. This 2022-23 level is similar to levels seen prior to the pandemic.

For the Non-Summary Warrant procedure, diligences executed decreased by 19.5% from 22,280 in 2021-22 to 17,930 in 2022-23.

Chart 2 shows that the Non-Summary Warrant procedure has been subject to change in recent years. This is due to legislative changes and customer requirements of officers of court.