Part 4Sentencing

Chapter 1Sentencing Council for England and Wales

Other functions of the Council

I1128Monitoring

1

The Council must—

a

monitor the operation and effect of its sentencing guidelines, and

b

consider what conclusions can be drawn from the information obtained by virtue of paragraph (a).

2

The Council must, in particular, discharge its duty under subsection (1)(a) with a view to drawing conclusions about—

a

the frequency with which, and extent to which, courts depart from sentencing guidelines;

b

the factors which influence the sentences imposed by courts;

c

the effect of the guidelines on the promotion of consistency in sentencing;

d

the effect of the guidelines on the promotion of public confidence in the criminal justice system.

3

When reporting on the exercise of its functions under this section in its annual report for a financial year, the Council must include—

a

a summary of the information obtained under subsection (1)(a), and

b

a report of any conclusions drawn by the Council under subsection (1)(b).