Updates

This page sets out the Councill's policy and process for recording minor revisions and corrections that are made to the sentencing guidelines and magistrates' court explanatory materials and includes a log of changes.

The Sentencing Council published its definitive guideline for sentencing hare coursing offences on 14 May 2026 and the online sentencing guideline now contains this in a purple colour scheme prior to this coming into force in all courts in England and Wales on 1 June 2026.

The Sentencing Council has made two consequential amendments to the Imposition of community and custodial sentences guideline as a result of provisions in the Sentencing Act 2026 which came into effect today, 11 May 2026.

The Sentencing Council has made a number of consequential amendments to three sentencing guidelines and one drop down as a result of provisions in the Sentencing Act 2026 which are coming into effect on 22 March 2026.