Guilty Plea – an update

The Sentencing Council has received over 180 responses from individuals and organisations to its consultation on a revised guideline for reductions in sentence for a guilty plea.  The consultation closed on 5 May 2016.  It is grateful for the level of interest and for the detailed responses received. The responses and consultation events have raised a number of issues that require careful reflection.  The Council believes that it is vital that sufficient time is taken to give full consideration to all the points made by respondents and is therefore reviewing the timetable. It is unlikely to publish the definitive guideline until the spring of 2017.