Lexis®Library update: In May 2022, the Ministry of Justice announced that magistrates' sentencing powers were increased to allow them to issue prison sentences of 12 months, up from a maximum of six, for a single offence to help clear the backlog in the Crown Court. These Regulations, scheduled to come into force on 30 March 2023, reduces the applicable limit available to a magistrates’ court in imposing a custodial sentence in respect of a single triable either way offence back to six months.
The Magistrates Association has said it is 'incredibly disappointed' and that the new instrument is 'likely to slow down justice'. It also confirmed that it has been assured the pause is temporary and is awaiting confirmation of a date for a formal review of the Regulations.
This content was first published by LNB News / Lexis®Library, a LexisNexis® company, on 13 March 2023 and is published with permission. Further information can be found at: www.lexisnexis.co.uk.
