Criminal Justice Act 2003

264 Consecutive terms E+W

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a person (“the offender”) has been sentenced to two or more terms of imprisonment which are to be served consecutively on each other, and

(b) the sentences were passed on the same occasion or, where they were passed on different occasions, the person has not been released under this Chapter at any time during the period beginning with the first and ending with the last of those occasions, F1 ...

F1 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F2 (2A) Subsection (2B) applies if each of the terms of imprisonment is subject to initial automatic release.

(2B) Nothing in this Chapter requires the Secretary of State to release the offender until the offender has served a period equal to the aggregate of the length of the minimum custodial periods in each of the terms.

(2C) Subsections (2D) and (2E) apply if at least one of the terms of imprisonment is subject to initial Parole Board referral.

(2D) Nothing in this Chapter requires the Secretary of State to refer the offender’s case to the Board until the offender has served a period equal to the aggregate length of the minimum custodial periods in each of the terms.

(2E) Nothing in this Chapter requires the Secretary of State to release the offender until—

(a) the Board has directed the release of the offender, or

(b) the offender has served a period equal to the aggregate length of—

(i) the minimum custodial periods in each of the terms (if any) that is subject to initial automatic release, and

(ii) the maximum custodial periods in each of the terms that is subject to initial Parole Board referral.

(2F) For the purposes of subsections (2A) to (2E)—

(a) a term of imprisonment is “subject to initial automatic release” if it is a sentence in respect of which—

(i) section 243A(1), 244(1), 244ZA(1), 246A(2) or 247 applies to the offender, or

(ii) section 247A applies, but subsections (3) to (5) of that section do not apply, to the offender;

(b) a term of imprisonment is “subject to initial Parole Board referral” if it is a sentence in respect of which—

(i) section 244ZC, 244A, 246A(3) to (7) or 247A(3) to (5) applies to the offender, or

(ii) a notice under section 244ZB(4) is in force.]

[F3 (3B) The offender's release under this Chapter is to be unconditional if—

(a) the aggregate length of the terms of imprisonment is less than 12 months, and

(b) section 243A so requires in respect of each of the sentences,

but in any other case is to be on licence.

(3C) If the offender is released on licence under this Chapter—

(a) the offender is to be on licence, on and after the release, until the offender would, but for the release, have served a term equal in length to the aggregate length of the terms of imprisonment (but see section 264B);

(b) the offender is to be subject to supervision requirements under section 256AA if (and only if)—

(i) section 256AA so requires in respect of one or more of the sentences, and

(ii) the aggregate length of the terms of imprisonment is less than 2 years.

(3D) If the offender is subject to supervision requirements under section 256AA, the supervision period for the purposes of that section begins on the expiry of the period during which the offender is on licence by virtue of subsection (3C)(a).

(3E) When the offender is released under this Chapter (whether unconditionally or on licence), the offender is to be subject to supervision requirements under section 256B if that section so requires in respect of one or more of the sentences.]

F4 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F4 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F5 (6) In this section “ [F6 minimum] custodial period”[F7 , except if subsection (6A) applies,] means—

(a) in relation to an extended sentence imposed under section 226A or 226B [F8 or under section 254, 266 or 279 of the Sentencing Code], two-thirds of the appropriate custodial term determined by the court under that section,

(b) in relation to an extended sentence imposed under section 227 or 228, one-half of the appropriate custodial term determined by the court under that section,

(c) in relation to a sentence imposed under section 236A [F9 or under section 265 or 278 of the Sentencing Code] [F10 before the day on which section 131 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 came into force], one-half of the appropriate custodial term determined by the court under that section, and

[F11 (ca) in relation to a sentence imposed under section 265 or 278 of the Sentencing Code on or after the day on which section 131 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 came into force, two-thirds of the appropriate custodial term determined by the court under that section,]

[F12 (cb) in relation to a sentence in respect of which section 244ZA applies to the offender, two-thirds of the sentence,]

(d) in relation to any other sentence, one-half of the sentence.]

[F13 (6A) In this section “[F14 minimum] custodial period”, in the case of a sentence imposed on a person to whom section 247A applies, means—

[F15 (za) in relation to a sentence within subsection (2A) of that section, the whole of the “appropriate custodial term” within the meaning of that section (see subsection (8) of that section),]

(a) in relation to an extended sentence [F16 (not being one to which paragraph (za) applies)] imposed under section 226A, 226B, 227 or [F17 228 of this Act or section 254, 266 or 279 of the Sentencing Code,] or a sentence imposed under section [F18 236A of this Act or section [F19 252A, 265] or 278 of that Code,] two-thirds of the appropriate custodial term determined by the court under that section;

(b) in relation to any other sentence, two-thirds of the sentence.]

[F20 (6B) In this section “maximum custodial period” means—

(a) in relation to a sentence imposed under section 226A, 226B, 227, 228 or 236A of this Act or section 252A, 254, 265, 266, 278 or 279 of the Sentencing Code, the “appropriate custodial term” determined by the court under that section;

(b) in relation to any other sentence, the term of the sentence.]

(7) This section applies to a determinate sentence of detention under section 91 [F21 or 96] of [F22 the PCC(S)A 2000, under section 250, [F23 252A,] 254, 262, 265 [F24 , 266 or 268A] of the Sentencing Code] or under section [F25 226A, 226B,] [F26 227 ] [F27 , 228 or 236A] of this Act as it applies to a term of imprisonment F28 ... .

[F29 (8) This section is subject to paragraphs 21, 22, 31, 32 and 33 of Schedule 20B (transitional cases).]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 264(1)(c) and preceding word omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 10 para. 32(2); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(h)

F2 S. 264(2A)-(2F) substituted for s. 264(2) (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 144(10)(a), 208(5)(p)

F3 S. 264(3B)-(3E) substituted for s. 264(3)(3A) (1.2.2015) by Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), ss. 5(2), 22(1) (with Sch. 7 para. 2); S.I. 2015/40, art. 2(e)

F4 S. 264(4)(5) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 14 para. 14(d); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(l)

F5 S. 264(6) substituted (13.4.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 1 para. 23(2); S.I. 2015/778, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 72

F6 Word in s. 264(6) inserted (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 144(10)(b), 208(5)(p)

F7 Words in s. 264(6) inserted (26.2.2020) by Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Act 2020 (c. 3), ss. 7(7)(a), 10(4)

F8 Words in s. 264(6)(a) inserted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 236(2)(a) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

F9 Words in s. 264(6)(c) inserted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 236(2)(b) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

F10 Words in s. 264(6)(c) inserted (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 131(3)(a), 208(5)(m)

F11 S. 264(6)(ca) inserted (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 131(3)(b), 208(5)(m)

F12 S. 264(6)(cb) inserted (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 130(6), 208(5)(m)

F13 S. 264(6A) inserted (26.2.2020) by Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Act 2020 (c. 3), ss. 7(7)(b), 10(4)

F14 Word in s. 264(6A) inserted (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 144(10)(b), 208(5)(p)

F15 S. 264(6A)(za) inserted (29.6.2021) by Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), s. 50(2)(v), Sch. 13 para. 45(4)(a)

F16 Words in s. 264(6A)(a) inserted (29.6.2021) by Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), s. 50(2)(v), Sch. 13 para. 45(4)(b)

F17 Words in s. 264(6A)(a) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 236(3)(a) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

F18 Words in s. 264(6A)(a) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 236(3)(b) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

F19 Words in s. 264(6A)(a) substituted (30.4.2021) by Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), s. 50(1)(i), Sch. 13 para. 21(8)(a)

F20 S. 264(6B) inserted (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 144(10)(c), 208(5)(p)

F21 Words in s. 264(7) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 117(8)(a), 151(1) (with Sch. 15); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(d)

F22 Words in s. 264(7) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 236(4) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

F23 Word in s. 264(7) inserted (30.4.2021) by Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), s. 50(1)(i), Sch. 13 para. 21(8)(b)

F24 Words in s. 264(7) substituted (29.6.2021) by Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), s. 50(2)(v), Sch. 13 para. 9(10)

F25 Words in s. 264(7) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 20 para. 12(3); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(r)

F26 Words in s. 264(7) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 117(8)(b), 151(1) (with Sch. 15); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(d)

F27 Words in s. 264(7) substituted (13.4.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 1 para. 23(3); S.I. 2015/778, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 72

F28 Words in s. 264(7) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 14 para. 14(f); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(l)

F29 S. 264(8) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 17 para. 8; S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(o)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 264 modified (10.9.2024 for specified purposes, 22.10.2024 in so far as not already in force) by The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Requisite and Minimum Custodial Periods) Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/844), arts. 1(2), 3

C2 S. 264(6)(d) modified (1.4.2020) by The Release of Prisoners (Alteration of Relevant Proportion of Sentence) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/158), arts. 1, 4 (with art. 5)

Commencement Information

I1 S. 264 partly in force; s. 264 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 336(3); s. 264 in force for certain purposes at 26.1.2004 by S.I. 2003/3282, art. 2, Sch.; s. 264(1)-(3)(6)(7) in force at 4.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/950, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 19 (subject to art. 2(2), Sch. 2)