This website represents the work of two closely-related independent bodies: the Sentencing Advisory Panel and the Sentencing Guidelines Council.
They work together to ensure that sentencing guidelines are produced which:
The Sentencing Advisory Panel's role is to advise on sentencing guidelines for particular offences or categories of offences, and other sentencing issues.
Following a period of wide consultation, and research if required, the Panel
produces advice which is submitted to the
Sentencing Guidelines Council for consideration.
The Sentencing Guidelines Council receives advice from the Sentencing Advisory Panel on a particular sentencing topic and uses this to formulate sentencing guidelines on the subject. These ‘draft’ guidelines are published, consulted on and then revised.
Final sentencing guidelines are then issued, ready to be used by sentencers.
Find out more about the Sentencing Advisory
Panel (SAP) and the the Sentencing Guidelines
Council (SGC).
