Scottish government data show that in 2018-19, 72,100 civil cases were brought before the Court of Session or sheriff courts.

But in just a single year, the total number of such cases fell by 11 per cent from more than 81,000. The decline means there has been a 39 per cent fall in civil cases brought since 2009-10.

Since 2017-18, debt proceedings have seen a drop of 20 per cent, repossessions nine per cent and evictions 15 per cent.

Family and damages cases did, however, rise during the same period by three and eight per cent respectively.

Business at the Court of Session has also declined sharply over the past decade following the introduction of rules to expand the jurisdiction of the Sheriff Court.

In 2015, the exclusive competence of all sheriff courts was extended to actions with a value of up to £100,000, replacing the former privative jurisdiction of £5,000.

Business at the Court of Session has since dropped by 48 per cent.