Crime and Disorder Act 1998

81 The Sentencing Advisory Panel

(1) The Lord Chancellor, after consultation with the Secretary of State and the Lord Chief Justice, shall constitute a sentencing panel to be known as the Sentencing Advisory Panel (“the Panel”) and appoint one of the members of the Panel to be its chairman.

(2) Where, in a case falling within subsection (1)(a) of section 80 above, the Court decides to frame or revise guidelines under that section for a particular category of offence, the Court shall notify the Panel.

(3) The Panel may at any time, and shall if directed to do so by the Secretary of State, propose to the Court that guidelines be framed or revised under section 80 above for a particular category of offence.

(4) Where the Panel receives a notification under subsection (2) above or makes a proposal under subsection (3) above, the Panel shall—

(a) obtain and consider the views on the matters in issue of such persons or bodies as may be determined, after consultation with the Secretary of State and the Lord Chief Justice, by the Lord Chancellor;

(b) formulate its own views on those matters and communicate them to the Court; and

(c) furnish information to the Court as to the matters mentioned in section 80(3)(b) and (c) above.

(5) The Lord Chancellor may pay to any member of the Panel such remuneration as he may determine.