Search this site

Enter keywords below to search the Sentencing Guidelines website

Advanced search

Guidelines at a glance

Definitive guidelines

Draft guidelines

Guideline Judgements Case Compendium

Welcome to the sentencing guidelines website The Sentencing Guidelines Council's role is to encourage consistency of sentencing in all courts in England and Wales, supporting judges and magistrates in their decision-making. It is an independent body with both judicial and non-judicial members, chaired by the Lord Chief Justice. The Council works with the Sentencing Advisory Panel to develop authoritative guidance based on key principles. The Panel – an independent body made up of judges, magistrates, academics, criminal justice practitioners and people from outside the criminal justice system - consults extensively before issuing advice to the Council. On this site you can learn about the people who make up the Council and Panel and the way the two bodies work, as well as read the most up-to-date guidelines and information on sentencing in the courts of England and Wales.
What's New Draft guideline: Overarching principles – Sentencing youths On Tuesday 30 June 2009, the Sentencing Guidelines Council published a draft guideline on the principles which apply when courts sentence young offenders. The guideline is set in the context of new laws for sentencing young people which are expected to come into force later this year.” Consultation guideline: Overarching principles – Sentencing youths Letter to consultees Advice: Sentencing principles - youths Press Notice SGC/SAP annual report 2008/09 The Sentencing Guidelines Council and the Sentencing Advisory Panel published their joint annual report on 24 June 2009. SGC/SAP annual report 2008/09 Press Notice Public Attitudes to the Principles of Sentencing On Tuesday 16th June the Sentencing Advisory Panel published a research report ‘Public Attitudes to the Principles of Sentencing’. The report and accompanying press notice can be found on the research section of this website.

Welcome to the sentencing guidelines website

The Sentencing Guidelines Council's role is to encourage consistency of sentencing in all courts in England and Wales, supporting judges and magistrates in their decision-making. It is an independent body with both judicial and non-judicial members, chaired by the Lord Chief Justice.

The Council works with the Sentencing Advisory Panel to develop authoritative guidance based on key principles. The Panel – an independent body made up of judges, magistrates, academics, criminal justice practitioners and people from outside the criminal justice system - consults extensively before issuing advice to the Council.

On this site you can learn about the people who make up the Council and Panel and the way the two bodies work, as well as read the most up-to-date guidelines and information on sentencing in the courts of England and Wales.

What's New

Draft guideline: Overarching principles – Sentencing youths

On Tuesday 30 June 2009, the Sentencing Guidelines Council published a draft guideline on the principles which apply when courts sentence young offenders. The guideline is set in the context of new laws for sentencing young people which are expected to come into force later this year.”

Consultation guideline: Overarching principles – Sentencing youths

Letter to consultees

Advice: Sentencing principles - youths

Press Notice

SGC/SAP annual report 2008/09

The Sentencing Guidelines Council and the Sentencing Advisory Panel published their joint annual report on 24 June 2009.

SGC/SAP annual report 2008/09
Press Notice

Public Attitudes to the Principles of Sentencing

On Tuesday 16th June the Sentencing Advisory Panel published a research report ‘Public Attitudes to the Principles of Sentencing’. The report and accompanying press notice can be found on the research section of this website.