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The Sentencing Council for England and Wales promotes greater consistency in sentencing, whilst maintaining the independence of the judiciary. The Council produces guidelines on sentencing for the judiciary and aims to increase public understanding of sentencing.

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The Sentencing Council for England and Wales

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Sentencing Council launches new definitive guideline for drug offences
24 January 2012

Today, the Sentencing Council is publishing a new guideline for judges and magistrates on the sentencing of drug offences.

The new guideline, which has been issued following a 12-week public consultation, will come into effect on 27 February 2012.  Although primarily aimed at criminal justice professionals, the guideline is specifically designed to be accessible and clear to the public.

The Council has also published a response to the consultation which summarises some of the very useful feedback and comments we received.

Burglary offences guideline comes into effect
16 January 2012

Following a three month period of training and implementation the definitive guideline on burglary offences came into effect on 16 January 2012.

This guideline and the updated Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Guidelines are available here.

Sentencing for dangerous dog offences – consultation launched on sentencing guidelines
15 December 2011

The Sentencing Council has launched a 12-week consultation on its proposed guidelines for judges and magistrates to use when sentencing people for dangerous dog offences.

Find out more about the consultation exercise.

Read the press release.