The Sentencing Council is commissioning a research project to review any potential for our work to cause disparity in sentencing. Aspects to be examined will include those such as the language used, factors, offence context, expanded explanations and structure of sentencing guidelines. As well as examining the guidelines, the work will also consider whether any aspects of the guideline development cycle could have any implications for equalities and disparity in sentencing. The review will also consider how the Council can best engage with underrepresented groups to increase awareness and understanding of sentencing guidelines.

The Council is particularly keen to draw on the views of those with direct experience of being sentenced and those who have experience with the criminal justice system.

This work is being commissioned through the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Sourcing Portal. Bidders must be registered on the Sourcing Portal to be able to access the relevant invitation to tender (ITT) and related documents. The Council would like to encourage academics, research providers and third sector organisations working with groups with lived experience of sentencing to register. 

The ITT will go live on 28 June and suppliers are encouraged to register as early as possible to allow time to submit their bids.