Guidance

The Sentencing Code - guidance for drafters

Guidance for members of the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and government drafters on the Sentencing Code.

• From: Office of the Parliamentary Counsel
• Published: 19 November 2020
• Last updated: 28 March 2023 — See all updates

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The Sentencing Code - guidance for drafters

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The Sentencing Code - guidance for drafters

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Guidance for members of the Office of Parliamentary Counsel (OPC) and for other Government drafters on the Sentencing Code (in the Sentencing Act 2020).

Published 19 November 2020
Last updated 28 March 2023 + show all updates

1. 28 March 2023

   1. There are changes throughout to reflect the fact that the Code has come into force as the previous version of the note was issued before that. 2. Paragraphs 2.10 and 3.16 and 3.17 are a reminder that references in legislation passed or made since the Sentencing Act 2020 to provisions of the Code, or to sentences passed under the Code, do not include references to the earlier legislation or to sentences under that earlier legislation. 3. Footnote 7 refers to the case R v Jex and others [2021]. 4. Paragraphs 2.17 and 3.13 now state that any Bill that amends the Sentencing Code should routinely include provision corresponding to section 419 of the Sentencing Act 2020. 5. Paragraphs 3.21 to 3.23 reflect the recent changes to maximum sentences in magistrates’ courts for offences triable either way. 6. Paragraphs 3.30 to 3.32 deal with exercising the power in section 419 of the Sentencing Act 2020.

2. 19 November 2020

   First published.