Sentencing guidelines in England and Wales: a review of recent developments

Abstract

Sentencing in England and Wales entered another era in 2010 as a result of reforms introduced by the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. A new statutory body (the Sentencing Council for England and Wales), headed by Lord Justice Leveson, replaces two previous organisations (the Sentencing Advisory Panel and the Sentencing Guidelines Council). The creation of a single guidelines authority will undoubtedly promote more effective development and dissemination of guidelines. A great deal has changed as a result of the latest legislation – for example, the Sentencing Council has a significantly wider range of duties than its predecessors (see below). This brief article reviews the recent evolution of sentencing guidelines in England and Wales.

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Julian V Roberts

Julian V Roberts is Professor of Criminology, Faculty of Law, University of Oxford