Publications

The Council has published an evaluation of the public order offences guidelines, under its statutory duty to monitor the operation and effect of sentencing guidelines and to draw conclusions from this information.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 17 April 2026

A summary explaining current sentencing practice for using violence to secure entry, to accompany the consultation.

A consultation paper on a sentencing guideline for the offence of using violence to secure entry offences.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on a guideline for sentencing hare coursing related offences.

A resource assessment for the definitive guideline on hare coursing offences.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice for hare coursing offences, to accompany the definitive guideline.

A resource assessment for the draft guideline for using violence to secure entry, to accompany the consultation.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 13 March 2026

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 30 January 2026

A consultation paper on draft assault on a police constable sentencing guidelines.

A resource assessment for the draft guideline on assault on a police constable, to accompany the consultation.

A statistical summary and data tables explaining current sentencing practice for assault on a police constable and assault on an emergency worker, to accompany the consultation for the assault on a police constable guideline.

The Sentencing Council is required as part of its statutory duties to review the performance of its guidelines and has therefore conducted a research review of the overarching guideline for sentencing offenders with mental disorders, developmental disorders, or neurological impairments, which came into force on 1 October 2020.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 19 December 2025.

A consultation paper on draft housing offences sentencing guidelines.

A resource assessment for the draft guideline on housing offences, to accompany the consultation.

A statistical summary and data tables explaining current sentencing practice for housing offences, to accompany the consultation.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 21 November 2025.

The Council has published an evaluation of the manslaughter offences guidelines, under its statutory duty to monitor the operation and effect of sentencing guidelines and to draw conclusions from this information.

The Council has published an evaluation of the breach offences guidelines, under its statutory duty to monitor the operation and effect of sentencing guidelines and to draw conclusions from this information.

This roundup summarises some of the research work recently undertaken or commissioned by the Council.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 24 October 2025.

On 2 September 2025 the Sentencing Bill 2025 was introduced into Parliament which, if passed, would require the Council to seek the approval of both the Lord Chancellor and the Lady Chief Justice prior to publishing our business plan. The Bill is unlikely to receive Royal Assent and come into force until mid- to late spring 2026. The Council will, therefore, not publish a full business plan for 2025-26, but we have issued our current workplan.

A consultation paper on miscellaneous amendments to sentencing guidelines.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 18 July 2025.

The Sentencing Council’s annual report for 2024/25 documents the Council’s achievements of the year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 in the context of the objectives set in the Council’s five-year strategy

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 13 June 2025.

A summary of the responses received to the fourth annual consultation on miscellaneous amendments to sentencing guidelines, and details of all guidelines affected.

The Council has published an evaluation of the intimidatory offences definitive guidelines, under its statutory duty to monitor the operation and effect of sentencing guidelines and to draw conclusions from this information.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 9 May 2025

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 4 April 2025

Between 29 November 2023 and 21 February 2024 the Council held a public consultation seeking views on a draft, revised version of the Imposition of community and custodial sentences guideline.

A resource assessment for the definitive revised overarching guideline on the Imposition of community and custodial sentences.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 28 February 2025

Between 21 February and 2 May 2024, the Council held a public consultation seeking views on a draft guideline for sentencing aggravated vehicle taking offences guidelines, disqualification and other motoring related matters offences.

A resource assessment for the definitive guidelines on aggravated vehicle taking, disqualification and other motoring related matters.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice for aggravated vehicle taking and other motoring related matters, to accompany the definitive guidelines.

Between 31 January and 24 April 2024, the Council held a public consultation seeking views on draft guidelines for sentencing blackmail, kidnap and false imprisonment offences.

A resource assessment for the definitive guidelines for kidnap, false imprisonment and blackmail offences.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice for kidnap, false imprisonment and blackmail offences, to accompany the definitive guideline.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 24 January 2025

A consultation paper on draft hare coursing sentencing guidelines.

A statistical summary and data tables explaining current sentencing practice for hare coursing offences, to accompany the consultation.

The Independent Sentencing Review 2024-25 was set up to make a comprehensive re-evaluation of the sentencing framework of England and Wales. The independent review panel, chaired by former Justice Secretary, the Rt Hon David Gauke, is expected to submit its findings in Spring 2025.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 20 December 2024.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on strangulation and suffocation offences.

A resource assessment for the definitive guidelines for strangulation and suffocation offences.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice for strangulation and suffocation offences, to accompany the definitive guideline.

The Sentencing Council is required under its statutory duties to review the performance of its guidelines. Following public consultation in 2020, the Council identified five Strategic objectives for 2021-2026. These included a commitment to “explore the impact and implementation of the domestic abuse overarching guideline by undertaking an evaluation”.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 15 November 2024.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 11 October 2024.

This literature review brings together the evidence on the effectiveness of sentencing from the perspectives of offenders, the general public, victims and sentencers.

A consultation paper on ancillary orders.

The Sentencing Council’s annual report documents the Council’s achievements of the year 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 in the context of the objectives set in our five-year strategy

A consultation paper on miscellaneous amendments to sentencing guidelines.

The Council has published an evaluation of the impact and implementation of the Bladed article and offensive weapons definitive guidelines, under its statutory duty to monitor the operation and effect of sentencing guidelines and to draw conclusions from this information. 

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 26 July 2024.

The Sentencing Council business plan 2024/25 sets out the work the Council aims to undertake in the year to March 2023 to meet our statutory objectives and the objectives we set ourselves in our five-year strategy.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 21 June 2024.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 17 May 2024.

A consultation paper on sentencing non-strangulation offences.

A bulletin and data tables explaining current sentencing practice for non-fatal strangulation and suffocation offences, to accompany the consultation.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 12 April 2024.

A consultation paper on sentencing immigration offences.

A resource assessment for the draft guidelines on immigration offences, to accompany the consultation.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for immigration offences to accompany the consultation.

A summary of the responses received to the third annual consultation on miscellaneous amendments to sentencing guidelines, and details of all guidelines affected.

In the Sentencing Council’s strategic objectives for 2021-2026  we made a commitment to “explore how the Council’s expanded explanations are being interpreted and applied by sentencers in practice”. This qualitative research report reviews how selected aggravating and mitigating factors, and their accompanying expanded explanations, were identified and interpreted by the judges and magistrates who took part.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 1 March 2024.

A consultation paper on sentencing aggravated vehicle taking offences guidelines, disqualification and other motoring related matters

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for aggravated vehicle taking and other motoring related matters to accompany the consultation.

A consultation paper on draft blackmail, kidnap and false imprisonment  sentencing guidelines.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for kidnap, false imprisonment and blackmail to accompany the consultation.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 26 January 2024.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 15 December 2023.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 17 November 2023.

In the Sentencing Council’s strategic objectives for 2021-2026 we made a commitment to explore how guideline users access, use and interact with the sentencing guidelines on our website.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 20 October 2023.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 22 September 2023.

A consultation paper on miscellaneous amendments to sentencing guidelines.

The Sentencing Council published a response to recommendations arising from the review of sentencing in domestic homicide cases on 7 September 2023.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 21 July 2023.

The Sentencing Council’s annual report for 2022/23 is Lord Justice William Davis’s first report as Chairman of the Sentencing Council.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on perverting the course of justice and witness intimidation offences.

A resource assessment for the definitive guidelines for perverting the course of justice and witness intimidation offences. 

Data tables showing current sentencing practice for perverting the course of justice and witness intimidation offences, to accompany the definitive guidelines.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 16 June 2023.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on motoring offences.

A resource assessment for the definitive guidelines for motoring offences.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice for motoring offences, to accompany the definitive guidelines.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the totality sentencing guideline.

A resource assessment for the definitive revised totality sentencing guideline.

The Sentencing Council business plan 2023/24 sets out the work the Council aims to undertake in the year to March 2023 to meet our statutory objectives and the objectives we set ourselves in our five-year strategy.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 12 May 2023.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on animal cruelty offences.

A resource assessment for the definitive revised guidelines for animal cruelty offences.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice for animal cruelty offences, to accompany the revised definitive guidelines.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 31 March 2023.

This report sets out the findings from a review of trend analysis of the impact of the Imposition guideline in clarifying the principles relating to the imposition of community and custodial sentences. This work has been carried out to help us meet our statutory duty to monitor the operation and effect of sentencing guidelines and consider what conclusions can be drawn.

A summary of the responses received to the second annual consultation paper on miscellaneous amendments to sentencing guidelines.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on child cruelty offences.

A resource assessment for the definitive revised guidelines for child cruelty offences.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice for child cruelty offences, to accompany the revised definitive guidelines.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 3 March 2023.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the offence of sale of knives etc to persons under 18.

A resource assessment for the definitive guidelines for the offence of sale of knives etc to persons under 18.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice to accompany the definitive guidelines for the sale of knives etc to persons under 18.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 27 January 2023.

The Sentencing Council has an overarching objective to promote a fair approach to sentencing, thus placing equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 16 December 2022.

Public knowledge of and confidence in the criminal justice system and sentencing: 2022 reports on research carried out to provide insight into the public's attitudes to, and understanding of, the criminal justice system and sentencing.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 28 November 2022.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 21 October 2022.

A consultation paper on a revision to the Totality sentencing guideline. Closed 11 January 2023.

The Sentencing Council has published a review that brings together evidence on the effectiveness of different sentencing options on reoffending.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 23 September 2022.

Consultation paper on miscellaneous amendments to sentencing guidelines. Closed on 30 November 2022.

A consultation paper on a revision to sentencing guidelines for child cruelty offences. Closes on 27 October 2022.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for child cruelty offences, to accompany the consultation and revised draft guidelines.

A summary of the responses received to the consultations on the revisions to the terrorism guidelines.

A resource assessment for the revised definitive terrorism offences guidelines.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice to accompany the revised definitive guidelines for terrorism offences.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 22 July 2022.

The Sentencing Council annual report for 2021/22, published on 22 July 2022, is Lord Justice Holroyde’s fourth and final report as Chairman of the Council.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of motoring offences. Closes on 29 September 2022. Closed on 29 September 2022.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for motoring offences, to accompany the consultation.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 17 June 2022.

The Sentencing Council business plan 2022/23 sets out the work the Council aims to undertake in the year to March 2023 to meet our statutory objectives and the objectives we set ourselves in our five-year strategy.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of the offence of sale of knives etc to persons under 18. Closed on 24 August 2022.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for the sale of knives etc to persons under 18, to accompany the consultation.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the sentencing of burglary offences.

A resource assessment for the revised definitive guidelines for burglary offences.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice to accompany the revised definitive guidelines for burglary offences. 

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the sentencing of sexual offences.

A resource assessment for the definitive guidelines for specific sexual offences.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice for specific sexual offences, to accompany the definitive guidelines.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 13 May 2022.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of animal cruelty offences. Closed on 1 August 2022.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for animal cruelty, to accompany the consultation.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 8 April 2022.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of perverting the course of justice and witness intimidation offences. Closed on 22 June 2022.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for perverting the course of justice and witness intimidation, to accompany the consultation.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on miscellaneous amendments to sentencing guidelines.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 4 March 2022.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 28 January 2022.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 17 December 2021.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the sentencing of firearm importation offences.

A resource assessment for the firearms importation offences definitive guideline.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice to accompany the definitive guideline for firearms importation offences.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 19 November 2021.

Sentencing Council strategic objectives 2021-2026 identifies the five objectives that are the Council’s main priorities and the actions we are taking to achieve them.

What next for the Sentencing Council? Consultation response looks at the responses we received to the Council's 10th-anniversary consultation held in 2020 and sets out the Council’s thinking and the rationale for the objectives and priorities we set ourselves in our five-year strategy: Sentencing Council strategic objectives 2021-2026

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 22 October 2021.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of terrorism offences. Closed 11 January 2022.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice for specific terrorism offences, to accompany the Council’s terrorism (revised) guideline consultation.

The Totality guideline is applied by the courts when sentencing an offender either for multiple offences or when they are already serving a sentence. To find out how the guideline is working in practice, the Council carried out a survey and series of interviews with sentencers.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 24 September 2021.

A consultation paper on miscellaneous amendments to sentencing guidelines. Closes 2 December 2021.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the sentencing of modern slavery offences.

A resource assessment for the modern slavery offences definitive guideline.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice to accompany the definitive guideline for modern slavery offences.

As part of its tenth anniversary year, the Council undertook to investigate its impact in three key areas, and this involved conducting a series of analytical projects. These summary reports contain the main findings from each of these projects.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the sentencing of unauthorised use of a trade mark offences.

A resource assessment for the definitive guidelines for the offence of unauthorised use of a trade mark.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice to accompany the definitive guidelines for the offence of unauthorised use of a trade mark.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 30 July 2021.

The Sentencing Council’s 11th annual report and Lord Justice Holroyde’s third as Chairman.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 25 June 2021.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of firearms importation offences. Closed 8 September 2021.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for firearms importation offences, to accompany the consultation.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of burglary offences. Closed 1 September 2021.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for burglary offences, to accompany the consultation.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the sentencing of assault offences.

A final resource assessment for the definitive Assault offences guidelines. 

Data tables showing current sentencing practice to accompany the definitive Assault offences guidelines.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 21 May 2021.

The Sentencing Council’s eighth business plan sets out our aims for the financial years 2020/21 and 2021/22.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of sexual offences. Closed 13 August 2021.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for selected sexual offences, to accompany the consultation 

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 16 April 2021.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 5 March 2021.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 12 February 2021.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 29 January 2021.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation on sentencing drug offences and the Council's related decisions. The paper includes a summary of our analysis and research and an assessment of the impact of the new guidelines.

A resource assessment for the definitive Drug offences guidelines.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice to accompany the definitive Drug offences guidelines.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 18 December 2020.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the sentencing of firearms offences.

A resource assessment for the definitive Firearms offences guidelines.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice to accompany the definitive Firearms offences guidelines, and a note detailing some additional tables that are being included for the first time.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 20 November 2020.

The Council has published an assessment of the impact and implementation of the Children and Young People definitive guideline under its statutory duty to monitor the operation and effect of sentencing guidelines and to draw conclusions from this information.

Assessment of the impact of the Reduction in Sentence for a Guilty Plea Definitive Guideline.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 23 October 2020.

The Council has published an assessment of the impact of the Dangerous dogs offences guidelines on sentencing trends, under the Council's statutory duty to monitor the operation and effect of sentencing guidelines and to draw conclusions from this information.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of modern slavery offences. Closed 15 January 2021.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for modern slavery offences, to accompany the consultation.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on changes to the Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Guidelines and associated explanatory materials.

A resource assessment for the definitive changes to the Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Guidelines and associated explanatory materials.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 25 September 2020.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 25 September 2020.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on sentencing offenders with mental disorders, developmental disorders, or neurological impairments.

A resource assessment for the definitive Overarching Principles: Sentencing offenders with mental disorders, developmental disorders, or neurological impairments guideline.

The report for 2019/20 is Lord Justice Holroyde’s second report as Chairman of the Sentencing Council.

A consultation paper on the sentencing unauthorised use of a trade mark offences. Closed 30 September 2020.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for the offence of unauthorised use of a trade mark, to accompany the consultation.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 19 June 2020.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 15 May 2020.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of assault offences. Closed 15 September 2020.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for assault offences to accompany the consultation.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 3 April 2020.

The Sentencing Council has published its assessment of the impact and implementation of the 2017 update to the Magistrates' Court Sentencing Guidelines, under its statutory duty to monitor the operation and effect of its sentencing guidelines and to draw conclusions from this information. The assessment reflects the Council’s approach of seeking to improve its work through consultation and evaluation.

In 2020, the Sentencing Council celebrated its 10th anniversary. As part of our anniversary activities, we opened a consultation: “What next for the Sentencing Council?”. In this consultation, the Council called on all those with an interest in criminal justice and sentencing to contribute to a discussion on what the Council’s future objectives and priorities should be.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 6 March 2020.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 31 January 2020.

A consultation paper on changes to the Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Guidelines and associated explanatory materials. Closed 15 April 2020.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of drug offences. Closed 7 May 2020.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for drug offences to accompany the consultation.

This report contains findings from statistical analysis of data from the Crown Court Sentencing Survey, investigating the association between a range of sentencing factors and offender demographics and the sentence imposed, in England and Wales.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 20 December 2019.

The Sentencing Council Business Plan setting out the Council’s aims and objectives for 2019 to 2020.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 25 October 2019.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of terrorism. Closed 3 December 2019.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice to accompany the consultation on terrorism offences.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the sentencing of Public Order offences.

A resource assessment for the definitive Public Order guideline.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice to accompany the definitive Public Order guideline.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of firearms offences. Closed 14 January 2020.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for firearms offences to accompany the consultation.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 27 September 2019.

The Sentencing Council has a statutory duty to have regard to the need to promote public confidence in the system when developing the sentencing guidelines and monitoring their impact. To achieve this, the Council must have an understanding of the public’s attitude to, and knowledge of, sentencing and the criminal justice system.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 26 July 2019.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the General guideline and expanded explanations in sentencing guidelines.

A resource assessment for the definitive General guideline and expanded explanations in sentencing guidelines.

The Sentencing Council has published its ninth annual report outlining activities from April 2018 to March 2019.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the sentencing of arson and criminal damage.

A resource assessment for the definitive Arson and Criminal Damage guideline.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice to accompany the definitive Arson and Criminal Damage guideline.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 14 June 2019.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 10 May 2019.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of offenders with mental health conditions or disorders. Closed 9 July 2019.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 5 April 2019.

Assessment of the impact of the Health and Safety Offences, Corporate Manslaughter and Food Safety and Hygiene Offences Definitive Guideline.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 1 March 2019.

A consultation paper on providing expanded explanations in sentencing guidelines. Closed 23 May 2019.

Assessment of the impact of the robbery definitive guideline.

The government published the results of its Tailored Review of the Sentencing Council on 7 February 2019.

Assessment of the impact of the theft offences definitive guideline.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 25 January 2019.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 14 December 2018.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 16 November 2018.

Assessment of the impact of the sexual offences definitive guideline.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 19 October 2018.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 28 September 2018.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on sentencing child cruelty.

A resource assessment for the definitive child cruelty guideline.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice to accompany the definitive Child Cruelty guideline.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on manslaughter.

A resource assessment for the definitive manslaughter guideline.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice to accompany the definitive guideline on manslaughter.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 27 July 2018.

The Sentencing Council has published its eighth annual report outlining activities from April 2017 to March 2018.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on intimidatory offences.

A resource assessment for the definitive intimidatory offences guideline.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice to accompany the definitive guideline on intimidatory offences.

The Sentencing Council Business Plan setting out the Council’s aims and objectives for 2018 to 2019.

Assessment of the impact of the Fraud, Bribery and Money Laundering Definitive Guideline.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 22 June 2018.

A consultation paper on a general sentencing guideline for use where there is no offence specific guideline. Closed 11 September 2018.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on breach offences.

Final resource assessments for the definitive Breach Offences guideline.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice to accompany the definitive guideline on breach.

The Sentencing Council has published its assessments of the impact of its drug offences guideline on sentencing trends, under its statutory duty to monitor the operation and effect of its sentencing guidelines and to draw conclusions from this information.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 18 May 2018.

A consultation paper on sentencing Public Order offences. Closed 8 August 2018.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for public order offences to accompany the consultation.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 13 April 2018.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on terrorism offences.

A resource assessment for the definitive terrorism offences guideline.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for terrorism offences to accompany the consultation and definitive guideline.

A consultation paper on sentencing arson and criminal damage. Closed 26 June 2018.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for arson and criminal damage offences to accompany the consultation.

Assessment of the impact of the Allocation Guideline.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 2 March 2018.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on bladed articles and offensive weapons offences.

Resource assessments for the definitive bladed articles and offensive weapons guideline.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice to accompany the definitive guideline on bladed articles and offensive weapons.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on overarching principles of sentencing domestic abuse.

A resource assessment for the definitive Overarching Principles: Domestic Abuse guideline.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 26 January 2018.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 15 December 2017.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 17 November 2017.

The Sentencing Council has published its seventh annual report outlining activities from April 2016 to March 2017.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 20 October 2017.

A consultation paper on sentencing terrorism offences. Closed 22 November 2017.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 22 September 2017.

The Sentencing Council Business Plan setting out the Council’s aims and objectives for 2017 to 2018.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 21 July 2017.

Assessments of the impact of the burglary offences definitive guideline.

A consultation paper on sentencing manslaughter. Closed 10 October 2017.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for manslaughter to accompany the consultation.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 16 June 2017.

A consultation paper on sentencing child cruelty. Closed 13 September 2017.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for child cruelty offences to accompany the consultation.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 12 May 2017.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 7 April 2017.

A consultation paper on the sentencing intimidatory offences and domestic abuse. Closed 30 June 2017.

A consultation paper on the sentencing intimidatory offences and domestic abuse. Closed 30 June 2017.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for intimidatory offences to accompany the consultation.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on reduction in sentence for a guilty plea.

A resource assessment for the definitive reduction in sentence for a guilty plea guideline.

Research to support the development of the reduction in sentence for a guilty plea guideline.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the sentencing children and young people.

A resource assessment for the definitive Sentencing children and young people guideline.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice to accompany the definitive guideline on sentencing children and young people.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 3 March 2017.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 27 January 2017.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on revised Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Guidelines offences.

A final resource assessment for the definitive Magistrates' Court Sentencing Guidelines.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice to accompany the definitive Magistrates' Court Sentencing Guidelines.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 16 December 2016.

A study to examine the sentencing data available in magistrates’ courts to support the future development, monitoring and evaluation of sentencing guidelines.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 18 November 2016.

Assessment of the impact of the environmental offences definitive guideline.

The Sentencing Council has published its sixth annual report outlining activities from April 2015 to March 2016.The report details the Council’s work on guidelines covering: dangerous dog offences, allocation, theft, health and safety, corporate manslaughter and food hygiene, robbery, imposition and guilty pleas. It also covers the Council’s ongoing analysis and research into sentencing, as well as the work it does to promote awareness of and confidence in sentencing guidelines.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the imposition of community & custodial sentences.

A final resource assessment for the definitive Imposition of community and custodial sentences guideline.

A consultation paper on the breach guideline. Closed 25 January 2017.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice to accompany the consultation on breach offences.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 21 October 2016.

A consultation paper on the bladed articles and offensive weapons guideline. Closed 6 January 2017.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice to accompany the consultation on bladed articles and offensive weapons.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 30 September 2016.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 29 July 2016.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 24 June 2016.

The Sentencing Council Business Plan setting out the Council’s aims and objectives for 2016 to 2017.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 20 May 2016.

A statistical bulletin for the consultation stage of the draft Magistrates' Court Sentencing Guidelines.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of youths. Closed 3 August 2016.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for youth offenders to accompany the consultation.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 15 April 2016.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the sentencing of dangerous dog offences.

A final resource assessment for the definitive dangerous dog offences guideline.

Data tables showing current sentencing practice for dangerous dog offences to accompany the definitive guideline.

Research to support the development of dangerous dog offences sentencing guidelines.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 11 March 2016.

A consultation paper on the reduction in sentence for a guilty plea. Closed 5 May 2016.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 29 January 2016.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the sentencing of robbery.

A final resource assessment for the definitive robbery guideline.

Research to support the development of robbery sentencing guidelines.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for robbery to accompany the definitive guideline.

A consultation paper on the draft guideline for the imposition of community and custodial sentences. Closed 25 February 2016.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 18 December 2015.

The Council’s response to the consultation on the revised Allocation guideline.

A final resource assessment for the definitive allocation guideline.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 20 November 2015.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the sentencing of health and safety offences, corporate manslaughter and food safety and hygiene offences.

Research to support the development of health and safety offences, corporate manslaughter, food safety and hygiene offences sentencing guidelines.

A final resource assessment for the definitive health and safety offences, corporate manslaughter, food safety and hygiene offences guideline.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 23 October 2015.

Fifth annual report outlining activities from April 2014 to March 2015.

Assessment of the impact and implementation of the assault offences definitive guideline.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the sentencing of theft offences.

An equality impact assessment for the definitive guideline on theft offences.

A final resource assessment for the definitive theft offences guideline.

Research to support the development of theft offences sentencing guidelines.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 25 September 2015.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 17 July 2015.

The anonymised record level data underlying the Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS) publications for the periods 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011, 1 January 2012 to 31 March 2012, 1 April 2012 to 31 December 2012, 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2013, 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2014.

The metadata document for the anonymised record level data underlying the Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS) publications for the periods 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011, 1 January 2012 to 31 March 2012, 1 April 2012 to 31 December 2012, 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2013, 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2014.

The user guide for the anonymised record level data underlying the Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS) publications for the periods 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011, 1 January 2012 to 31 March 2012, 1 April 2012 to 31 December 2012, 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2013, 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2014.

This results bulletin presents the findings of the Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS) for sentences passed by the Crown Court in 2014.

Details of who is granted 24 hour pre release access to the annual findings of the Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS).

This is to be read in conjunction with the Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS) Annual, 2014 statistics release. It aims to provide background information on the key factors that judges take into account when passing a sentence at the Crown Court, to help understand the context of the data presented in the release.

This document provides more information on how the Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS) data was checked to ensure it was of a suitable quality and fit for purpose including any limitations that may affect the quality of the results presented.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 19 June 2015.

A consultation on proposed amendments to the allocation guideline. Closed 31 July 2015.

The Sentencing Council Business Plan setting out the Council’s aims and objectives for 2015 to 2016.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 15 May 2015.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 17 April 2015.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of dangerous dog offences. Closed 9 June 2015.

An equality impact assessment for the draft guideline on dangerous dog offences.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for dangerous dog offences describing the context in which the consultation proposals were made.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 6 March 2015.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 30 January 2015.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting on 19 December 2014.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on  21 November 2014.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of Health and safety offences, corporate manslaughter, food safety and hygiene offences. Closed on 18 February 2015.

An equality impact assessment for the definitive guideline on health and safety offences, corporate manslaughter, food safety and hygiene offences.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for health and safety offences, corporate manslaughter, food safety and hygiene offences describing the context in which the consultation proposals were made.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 24 October 2014.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of robbery. Closed 23 January 2015.

An equality impact assessment for the draft guideline on robbery.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for robbery describing the context in which the consultation proposals were made.

Fourth annual report outlining activities from April 2013 to March 2014.

Fraud, bribery and money laundering offences Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS) form. All judges (or other sentencers) sitting in the Crown Court should complete a form every time a sentence is passed.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 26 September 2014.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 18 July 2014.

This results bulletin presents the findings of the Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS) for sentences passed by the Crown Court in 2013.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 20 June 2014.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the sentencing of fraud, bribery and money laundering offences.

An equality impact assessment for the definitive guideline on fraud, bribery and money laundering offences.

A final resource assessment for the definitive fraud, bribery and money laundering offences guideline.

Research to support the development of fraud, bribery and money laundering offences sentencing guidelines.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 16 May 2014.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 11 April 2014.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of theft offences. Closed on 26 June 2014.

An equality impact assessment for the draft guideline on theft offences.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for theft offences describing the context in which the consultation proposals were made.

Arson and criminal damage Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS) form. All judges (or other sentencers) sitting in the Crown Court should complete a form every time a sentence is passed.

Assault and public order Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS) form. All judges (or other sentencers) sitting in the Crown Court should complete a form every time a sentence is passed.

Burglary offences Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS) form. All judges (or other sentencers) sitting in the Crown Court should complete a form every time a sentence is passed.

Driving offences Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS) form. All judges (or other sentencers) sitting in the Crown Court should complete a form every time a sentence is passed.

Drug offences Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS) form. All judges (or other sentencers) sitting in the Crown Court should complete a form every time a sentence is passed.

Indecent photographs of children Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS) form. All judges (or other sentencers) sitting in the Crown Court should complete a form every time a sentence is passed.

Offences causing death Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS) form. All judges (or other sentencers) sitting in the Crown Court should complete a form every time a sentence is passed.

Other offences Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS) form. All judges (or other sentencers) sitting in the Crown Court should complete a form every time a sentence is passed.

Robbery / Assault with Intent to Rob Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS) form. All judges (or other sentencers) sitting in the Crown Court should complete a form every time a sentence is passed.

Sexual offences (except Indecent photographs of children) Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS) form. All judges (or other sentencers) sitting in the Crown Court should complete a form every time a sentence is passed.

Theft offences Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS) form. All judges (or other sentencers) sitting in the Crown Court should complete a form every time a sentence is passed.

The Sentencing Council Business Plan setting out the Council’s aims and objectives for 2014 to 2015.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 7 March 2014.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the sentencing of environmental offences.

An equality impact assessment for the definitive guideline on environmental offences.

A final resource assessment for the definitive environmental offences guideline.

Research to support the development of a guideline on sentencing environmental offences.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 31 January 2014.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the sentencing of fraud, bribery and money laundering offences (corporate offenders).

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 20 December 2013.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the sentencing of sexual offences.

An equality impact assessment for the definitive guideline on sexual offences.

A final resource assessment for the definitive sexual offences guideline.

Research to support the development of a revised sexual offences sentencing guideline.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 22 November 2013.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 25 October 2013.

The Sentencing Council Business Plan setting out the Council’s aims and objectives for 2013 to 2014.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 27 September 2013.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 26 July 2013.

Third annual report outlining activities from April 2012 to March 2013.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of fraud, bribery and money laundering offences. Closed on 4 October 2013.

An equality impact assessment for the draft guideline on fraud, bribery and money laundering offences.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for fraud, bribery and money laundering offences describing the context in which the consultation proposals were made.

Qualitative research, carried out by NatCen Social Research, exploring the nature and impact of online fraud in relation to two specific fraud offences: confidence fraud and possessing, making or supplying articles for use in fraud.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 21 June 2013.

This results bulletin presents the findings of the Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS) for sentences passed by the Crown Court in 2012.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 17 May 2013.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 12 April 2013.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of environmental offences. Closed on 6 June 2013.

An equality impact assessment for the draft guideline on environmental offences.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for environmental offences describing the context in which the consultation proposals were made.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 1 March 2013.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 25 January 2013.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 14 December 2012.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of sexual offences. Closed on 14 March 2013.

An equality impact assessment for the draft guideline on sexual offences.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for sexual offences describing the context in which the consultation proposals were made.

A bulletin outlining the ways in which sentencing guidelines produced by the Sentencing Council reflect the interests of victims of crime.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 16 November 2012.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 12 October 2012.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 14 September 2012.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 20 July 2012.

Second annual report outlining activities from April 2011 to March 2012.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 15 June 2012.

This results bulletin presents the findings of the Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS) for sentences passed by the Crown Court in 2011.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the sentencing of dangerous dog offences.

An equality impact assessment for the definitive guideline on dangerous dog offences.

A final resource assessment for the definitive dangerous dogs offences guideline.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 4 May 2012.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 30 March 2012.

Research into attitudes to sentencing sexual offences from a group of the public and victims/survivors was conducted on behalf of the Sentencing Council for England and Wales by NatCen Social Research.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on allocation, offences taken into consideration and totality.

An equality impact assessment for the definitive guideline on allocation, offences taken into consideration and totality.

A resource assessment for the allocation, offences taken into consideration and totality guideline.

Research into decision making relating to the allocation of ‘triable either way’ cases to magistrates’ courts or Crown Court.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 24 February 2012.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the sentencing of drugs offences.

A final resource assessment for the definitive drug offences guideline.

Research into the effects of the draft drug offences guideline on sentencing practice.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 20 January 2012.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 16 December 2011.

A consultation paper on the sentencing of dangerous dog offences. Closed on 8 March 2012.

An equality impact assessment for the draft guideline on dangerous dog offences.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for dangerous dog offences describing the context in which the consultation proposals were made.

Research into the sentencing of dangerous dog offences in order to inform the development of a guideline for these offences.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 18 November 2011.

At the request of the Lord Chancellor, the Sentencing Council considered the resource effects of proposed changes to Suspended Sentence Orders (SSOs) contained in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill.

First annual report outlining activities from April 2010 to March 2011.

Findings of the first six months of the Crown Court Sentencing Survey (CCSS) and the work being done by analysts at the Council to further develop the statistics.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 14 October 2011.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the sentencing of burglary offences.

An equality impact assessment for the definitive guideline on burglary offences.

A final resource assessment for the definitive burglary offences guideline.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 16 September 2011.

A short guide on allocation to accompany the consultation exercise.

A short guide on totality to accompany the consultation exercise.

A short guide on offences taken into consideration to accompany the consultation exercise.

A consultation paper on allocation, offences taken into consideration and totality. Closed on 8 December 2011.

An equality impact assessment for the draft guideline on allocation, offences taken into consideration and totality.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 22 July 2011.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 17 June 2011.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 13 May 2011.

Research into public attitudes to guilty plea sentence reductions was conducted on behalf of the Sentencing Council for England and Wales by Ipsos MORI.

A consultation paper for a legal professional audience on the sentencing of burglary offences . Closed on 4 August 2011.

An equality impact assessment for the draft guideline on burglary offences.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for burglary offences describing the context in which the consultation proposals were made.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 8 April 2011.

A consultation paper for a legal professional audience on the sentencing of drug offences. Closed on 20 June 2011.

An equality impact assessment for the draft guideline on drug offences.

A bulletin explaining current sentencing practice for drug offences describing the context in which the consultation proposals were made.

This document describes the key features emerging from case study interviews carried out by the Office of the Sentencing Council with a small number of women currently imprisoned for unlawful importation of drugs (many acting as drug 'mules').

Qualitative research into public attitudes to sentencing for drug offences was conducted on behalf of the Sentencing Council for England and Wales by the Institute for Criminal Policy Research.

A document that sets out the general methodology used to assess the likely effect of new guidelines on resources. This note considers the potential resource impacts of one of the Council’s key objectives: promoting consistency in sentencing.

A document that sets out the general methodology used to assess the likely effect of new guidelines on resources. The Sentencing Council has developed a general analytical model which has been designed to aid resource assessment in a wide variety of scenarios.

A summary of the responses received to the consultation paper on the sentencing of assault offences.

A final resource assessment for the definitive assault offences guideline.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 4 March 2011.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 28 January 2011.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 17 December 2010.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 26 November 2010.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 22 October 2010.

A consultation paper for a legal professional audience on the sentencing of assault offences. Closed on 5 January 2011.

An equality impact assessment for the draft guideline on assault.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 24 September 2010.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 23 July 2010.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 25 June 2010.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 24 May 2010.

Minutes of the Sentencing Council meeting held on 22 to 23 April 2010.