Criminal Justice Act 2003

177 Community orders E+W

F1 (1) Where a person aged [F2 18] or over is convicted of an offence, the court by or before which he is convicted may make an order (in this Part referred to as a “community order”) imposing on him any one or more of the following requirements—

(a) an unpaid work requirement (as defined by section 199),

[F3 (aa) a rehabilitation activity requirement (as defined by section 200A),]

F4 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c) a programme requirement (as defined by section 202),

(d) a prohibited activity requirement (as defined by section 203),

(e) a curfew requirement (as defined by section 204),

(f) an exclusion requirement (as defined by section 205),

(g) a residence requirement (as defined by section 206),

[F5 (ga) a foreign travel prohibition requirement (as defined by section 206A),]

(h) a mental health treatment requirement (as defined by section 207),

(i) a drug rehabilitation requirement (as defined by section 209),

(j) an alcohol treatment requirement (as defined by section 212),

[F6 (ja) an alcohol abstinence and monitoring requirement (as defined by section 212A),]

F7 (k) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(l) in a case where the offender is aged under 25, an attendance centre requirement (as defined by section 214)[F8 , and

(m) an electronic monitoring requirement (as defined by section 215).]

(2) Subsection (1) has effect subject to sections 150 and 218 and to the following provisions of Chapter 4 relating to particular requirements—

(a) section 199(3) (unpaid work requirement),

F9 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F10 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d) section 203(2) (prohibited activity requirement),

(e) section 207(3) (mental health treatment requirement),

(f) section 209(2) (drug rehabilitation requirement), [F11 and]

(g) section 212(2) and (3) (alcohol treatment requirement)[F12 , [F13 and]

(h) section 212A(8) to (12) (alcohol abstinence and monitoring requirement).][F14 , and

(i) section 215(2) (electronic monitoring requirement).]

[F15 (2A) Where the court makes a community order, the court must—

(a) include in the order at least one requirement imposed for the purpose of punishment, or

(b) impose a fine for the offence in respect of which the community order is made, or

(c) comply with both of paragraphs (a) and (b).

(2B) Subsection (2A) does not apply where there are exceptional circumstances which—

(a) relate to the offence or to the offender,

(b) would make it unjust in all the circumstances for the court to comply with subsection (2A)(a) in the particular case, and

(c) would make it unjust in all the circumstances for the court to impose a fine for the offence concerned.]

(3) Where the court makes a community order imposing a curfew requirement or an exclusion requirement, the court must also impose an electronic monitoring requirement [F16 (as defined by section 215)] [F16 within section 215(1)(a) for securing the electronic monitoring of the curfew or exclusion requirement] unless—

(a) it is prevented from doing so by section 215(2) or 218(4), or

(b) in the particular circumstances of the case, it considers it inappropriate to do so.

(4) [F17 Where the court makes a community order imposing an unpaid work requirement, [F18 a rehabilitation activity requirement,] F19 ... a programme requirement, a prohibited activity requirement, a residence requirement, [F20 a foreign travel prohibition requirement,] a mental health treatment requirement, a drug rehabilitation requirement, an alcohol treatment requirement F19 ... or an attendance centre requirement, the court may also impose an electronic monitoring requirement unless prevented from doing so by section 215(2) or 218(4).]

(5) A community order must specify a date [F21 (“the end date”)], not more than three years after the date of the order, by which all the requirements in it must have been complied withF22 ...

[F23 (5A) If a community order imposes two or more different requirements falling within subsection (1), the order may also specify a date by which each of those requirements must have been complied with; and the last of those dates must be the same as the end date.

(5B) Subject to section 200(3) (duration of community order imposing unpaid work requirement), a community order ceases to be in force on the end date.]

(6) Before making a community order imposing two or more different requirements falling within subsection (1), the court must consider whether, in the circumstances of the case, the requirements are compatible with each other.

Textual Amendments

F1 Word in s. 177(1) omitted (17.10.2016 in relation to specified local justice areas until 30.6.2018, 13.3.2017 in relation to specified local justice areas until 12.3.2019, 1.4.2019 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 16 para. 12(2)(a); S.I. 2016/962, art. 2 (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (9.10.2017) by S.I. 2017/976, art. 2); S.I. 2017/236, art. 2 (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (12.3.2018 at 10 p.m.) by S.I. 2018/357, arts. 1, 2); S.I. 2018/1423, art. 2(b)

F2 Word in s. 177(1) substituted (30.11.2009) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 6, 153, Sch. 4 para. 82 (with Sch. 27 paras. 1, 5); S.I. 2009/3074, art. 2(p)(xiii)

F3 S. 177(1)(aa) inserted (1.2.2015) by Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), ss. 15(2), 22(1) (with Sch. 7 para. 7); S.I. 2015/40, art. 2(m)

F4 S. 177(1)(b) omitted (1.2.2015) by virtue of Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), s. 22(1), Sch. 5 para. 2(2) (with Sch. 7 para. 7); S.I. 2015/40, art. 2(v)

F5 S. 177(1)(ga) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 72(1), 151(1); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(a) (with art. 3)

F6 S. 177(1)(ja) inserted (31.7.2014 only in relation to the South London local justice area for specified purposes until 31.3.2016, 1.4.2016 for specified local justice areas for all purposes other than application by the Armed Forces Act 2006 until 31.3.2018, 1.5.2017 in relation to specified local justice areas for specified purposes until the end of 30.4.2019, 19.5.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 76(2), 77, 151(3); S.I. 2014/1777, arts. 2, 3, 4(1) (with art. 4(2)) (as amended (30.7.2015) by S.I. 2015/1480, arts. 1, 2 and (30.1.2016) by S.I. 2016/1, arts. 1, 2); S.I. 2016/286, arts. 2, 3, 4(1) (with art. 4(2)) (as amended (31.3.2017) by S.I. 2017/225, arts. 1, 2); S.I. 2017/525, arts. 2, 3, 4(1) (with art. 4(2)); S.I. 2020/478, art. 2

F7 S. 177(1)(k) omitted (1.2.2015) by virtue of Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), s. 22(1), Sch. 5 para. 2(2) (with Sch. 7 para. 7); S.I. 2015/40, art. 2(v)

F8 S. 177(1)(m) and word inserted (17.10.2016 in relation to specified local justice areas until 30.6.2018, 13.3.2017 in relation to specified local justice areas until 12.3.2019, 1.4.2019 in so far as not already in force) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 16 para. 12(2)(b); S.I. 2016/962, art. 2 (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (9.10.2017) by S.I. 2017/976, art. 2); S.I. 2017/236, art. 2 (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (12.3.2018 at 10 p.m.) by S.I. 2018/357, arts. 1, 2); S.I. 2018/1423, art. 2(b)

F9 S. 177(2)(b) omitted (1.2.2015) by virtue of Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), s. 22(1), Sch. 5 para. 2(3) (with Sch. 7 para. 7); S.I. 2015/40, art. 2(v)

F10 S. 177(2)(c) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 70(1), 151(1); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(a)

F11 Word in s. 177(2)(f) omitted (31.7.2014 only in relation to the South London local justice area for specified purposes until 31.3.2016, 1.4.2016 for specified local justice areas for all purposes other than application by the Armed Forces Act 2006 until 31.3.2018, 1.5.2017 in relation to specified local justice areas for specified purposes until the end of 30.4.2019, 19.5.2020 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 76(3)(a), 77, 151(3); S.I. 2014/1777, arts. 2, 3, 4(1) (with art. 4(2)) (as amended (30.7.2015) by S.I. 2015/1480, arts. 1, 2 and (30.1.2016) by S.I. 2016/1, arts. 1, 2); S.I. 2016/286, arts. 2, 3, 4(1) (with art. 4(2)) (as amended (31.3.2017) by S.I. 2017/225, arts. 1, 2); S.I. 2017/525, arts. 2, 3, 4(1) (with art. 4(2)); S.I. 2020/478, art. 2

F12 S. 177(2)(h) and word inserted (31.7.2014 only in relation to the South London local justice area for specified purposes until 31.3.2016, 1.4.2016 for specified local justice areas for all purposes other than application by the Armed Forces Act 2006 until 31.3.2018, 1.5.2017 in relation to specified local justice areas for specified purposes until the end of 30.4.2019, 19.5.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 76(3)(b), 77, 151(3); S.I. 2014/1777, arts. 2, 3, 4(1) (with art. 4(2)) (as amended (30.7.2015) by S.I. 2015/1480, arts. 1, 2 and (30.1.2016) by S.I. 2016/1, arts. 1, 2); S.I. 2016/286, arts. 2, 3, 4(1) (with art. 4(2)) (as amended (31.3.2017) by S.I. 2017/225, arts. 1, 2); S.I. 2017/525, arts. 2, 3, 4(1) (with art. 4(2)); S.I. 2020/478, art. 2

F13 Word in s. 177(2) omitted (17.10.2016 in relation to specified local justice areas until 30.6.2018, 13.3.2017 in relation to specified local justice areas until 12.3.2019, 1.4.2019 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 16 para. 12(3)(a); S.I. 2016/962, art. 2 (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (9.10.2017) by S.I. 2017/976, art. 2); S.I. 2017/236, art. 2 (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (12.3.2018 at 10 p.m.) by S.I. 2018/357, arts. 1, 2); S.I. 2018/1423, art. 2(b)

F14 S. 177(2)(i) and word inserted (17.10.2016 in relation to specified local justice areas until 30.6.2018, 13.3.2017 in relation to specified local justice areas until 12.3.2019, 1.4.2019 in so far as not already in force) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 16 para. 12(3)(b); S.I. 2016/962, art. 2 (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (9.10.2017) by S.I. 2017/976, art. 2); S.I. 2017/236, art. 2 (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (12.3.2018 at 10 p.m.) by S.I. 2018/357, arts. 1, 2); S.I. 2018/1423, art. 2(b)

F15 S. 177(2A)(2B) inserted (11.12.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 16 para. 2 (with Sch. 16 para. 4); S.I. 2013/2981, art. 2(d)

F16 Words in s. 177(3) substituted (17.10.2016 in relation to specified local justice areas until 30.6.2018, 13.3.2017 in relation to specified local justice areas until 12.3.2019, 1.4.2019 in so far as not already in force) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 16 para. 12(4); S.I. 2016/962, art. 2 (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (9.10.2017) by S.I. 2017/976, art. 2); S.I. 2017/236, art. 2 (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (12.3.2018 at 10 p.m.) by S.I. 2018/357, arts. 1, 2); S.I. 2018/1423, art. 2(b)

F17 S. 177(4) omitted (17.10.2016 in relation to specified local justice areas until 30.6.2018, 13.3.2017 in relation to specified local justice areas until 12.3.2019, 1.4.2019 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 16 para. 12(5); S.I. 2016/962, art. 2 (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (9.10.2017) by S.I. 2017/976, art. 2); S.I. 2017/236, art. 2 (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (12.3.2018 at 10 p.m.) by S.I. 2018/357, arts. 1, 2); S.I. 2018/1423, art. 2(b)

F18 Words in s. 177(4) inserted (1.2.2015) by Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), s. 22(1), Sch. 5 para. 2(4)(a) (with Sch. 7 para. 7); S.I. 2015/40, art. 2(v)

F19 Words in s. 177(4) omitted (1.2.2015) by virtue of Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), s. 22(1), Sch. 5 para. 2(4)(b) (with Sch. 7 para. 7); S.I. 2015/40, art. 2(v)

F20 Words in s. 177(4) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 72(2), 151(1); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(a) (with art. 3)

F21 Words in s. 177(5) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 66(1)(a), 151(1); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(a)

F22 Words in s. 177(5) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 66(1)(b), 151(1); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(a)

F23 S. 177(5A)(5B) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 66(2), 151(1); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 177(2A)(2B) modified by 2006 c. 52, s. 182(3A) (as inserted (11.12.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 16 para. 33(2) (with Sch. 16 para. 35); S.I. 2013/2981, art. 2(e))

C2 S. 177(3)-(6) modified (28.3.2009 for certain purposes, otherwise 31.10.2009) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), ss. 178(3)(4), 383; S.I. 2009/812, art. 3 (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

C3 S. 177(5)(6) extended (28.3.2009 for certain purposes, otherwise 31.10.2009) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), ss. 182(4)-(6), 383 (subject to s. 183) (as amended (11.12.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 16 para. 33(3) (with Sch. 16 para. 35); S.I. 2013/2981, art. 2(e)); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3 (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

Commencement Information

I1 S. 177 wholly in force at 4.4.2009; s. 177 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 336(3); s. 177 in force for certain purposes at 4.4.2005 and otherwise in force at 4.4.2009 by S.I. 2005/950, art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 8 (subject to Sch. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2007/391, art. 2)