The number of civil court cases have increased in Tayside and Fife by the largest rate in the country, new figures show.
There was a 15% rise in civil court cases launched in the area in 2017-18, leading to fears the system is coming under too much pressure.
The civil system mainly deals with debt, eviction and family issues.
There were 12,263 civil cases initiated in Tayside, Central and Fife in 2016-17, compared with 14,163 the following year, according to official figures from the Scottish Government.
Of the national increase, the government report said: “This change has occurred in the context of far-reaching reforms to the conduct of court business.
“These reforms are intended to make the resolution of civil disputes simpler and cheaper.”
The changes include more cases going to sheriffs rather than before the Court of Session, as well as a new simple procedure and personal injury court.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie, a Fife MSP, said: “While these increases are primarily down to changes to the way court business is conducted, there is no doubt that this also puts more pressure on our already stretched courts in Tayside and Fife.
“The Scottish Government need to make sure that our courts have the support and resources they need to deliver justice in a timely and effective fashion.”
