The Sentencing Act 2026

This event will provide a practical update on the key provisions and developments arising from the new Act. The session will cover the details of all Commencement Orders published by way of Statutory Instruments as at 15 September, including the four Orders published as at 9 July, together with the amendments made to the Bail Act 1976 as a result of the Act.

The event will examine the presumption of suspension, including the length of sentence and the periods over which a sentence may be suspended in both the Magistrates’ Court and the Crown Court. It will also address the importance of the relevant date, including consideration of the offence date, sentencing date and conviction date.

Delegates will receive guidance on the test for departing from the presumption that a sentence will be suspended, including the specific exceptions contained in section 1 of the Act. The session will also consider amendments to the legislation relating to deferred sentences.

In addition, the event will review the provisions concerning the early release of prisoners (should those provisions be brought into force), changes to the Fixed Term Recall (FTR) regime, and the provisions relating to special custodial sentences for offenders of particular concern.

The session will conclude with consideration of the pronouncements that must be made where a court is of the view that an offence involved domestic abuse carried out by the offender, the new circumstances in which a whole life order may be imposed, and the High Court referral process for Parole Board decisions concerning unconditional release in certain life sentence cases.