Sentencing Council to launch courts survey

On 1 October, the Sentencing Council will be launching the first survey of its kind to analyse the use of sentencing guidelines in Crown Courts. One of the Council’s statutory duties is to monitor the operation and effect of sentencing guidelines, and the survey will be taking place in all Crown Courts in England and Wales. The survey’s findings will also help the Council assess what costs and resources will be required by proposed sentencing guidelines.