Court reforms have been hailed a success by the executive

More than 1,000 witnesses - who would normally have been expected to be in court - have not had to turn up.

The Law Society of Scotland said the reforms had only been made possible through the hard work of the legal profession and the courts.

They warned they would be kept under review to ensure continued progress.

The most significant feature of the overhaul brought in six weeks ago was the introduction of a preliminary hearing in advance of any trial.

'Speedy trial'

Legal matters - which often delay trials - could be dealt with and uncontentious evidence agreed, while the accused could make a plea.

Since the reforms were launched, 34% of the cases which came to the High Court saw guilty pleas entered.

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson said victims of serious crime, witnesses and potential jurors have avoided the stress of a High Court trial.

Ms Jamieson said victims were at the heart of the system

The Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act has been billed as the most radical overhaul of the criminal justice system for 20 years.

Instead of the previous system of court "sittings", fixed trial dates have been introduced.

The 110-day time limit in which a person must be put on trial has been extended to allow more time for the defence to prepare.

Under the Vulnerable Witnesses Act, children under the age of 16 have an automatic right to special measures and under 12s will not normally have to come to court to give evidence in sex or violence cases.

There is also greater scope for witnesses to be deemed "vulnerable" and the legislation has scrapped a competence test which had barred some children from giving evidence because they would not pass an initial test on whether they understand the difference between truth and lies.

Ms Jamieson said at the start of the shake-up: "I am committed to a criminal justice service which punishes the guilty and acquits the innocent, ensuring the right to a fair and speedy trial.