Legislation – Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015

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Introduction

PART 1
Criminal Justice

1 Maximum sentence for certain offences to be life imprisonment

2 Specified offences

3 Schedule 15B offences

4 Parole Board release when serving extended sentences

5 Minor amendments

6 Sentence and Parole Board release for offenders of particular concern

7 Electronic monitoring following release on licence etc

8 Recall adjudicators

9 Test for release after recall: determinate sentences

10 Power to change test for release after recall: determinate sentences

11 Initial release and release after recall: life sentences

12 Offence of remaining unlawfully at large after recall

13 Offence of remaining unlawfully at large after temporary release

14 Definition of “requisite custodial period”

15 Minor amendments and transitional cases

16 Drugs for which prisoners etc may be tested

17 Restrictions on use of cautions

18 Restrictions on use of cautions: supplementary

19 Alternatives to prosecution: rehabilitation of offenders in Scotland

20 Ill-treatment or wilful neglect: care worker offence

21 Ill-treatment or wilful neglect: care provider offence

22 Care provider offence: excluded care providers

23 Care provider offence: penalties

24 Care provider offence: application to unincorporated associations

25 Care provider offence: liability for ancillary and other offences

26 Corrupt or other improper exercise of police powers and privileges

27 Term of imprisonment for murder of police or prison officer

28 Minimum sentence for repeat offences involving offensive weapons etc

29 Offences committed by disqualified drivers

30 Extension of disqualification from driving where custodial sentence also imposed

31 Mutual recognition of driving disqualification in UK and Republic of Ireland

32 Sending letters etc with intent to cause distress or anxiety

33 Disclosing private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress

34 Meaning of “disclose” and “photograph or film”

35 Meaning of “private” and “sexual”

36 Meeting a child following sexual grooming etc

37 Possession of pornographic images of rape and assault by penetration

PART 2
Young offenders

38 Secure colleges and other places for detention of young offenders etc

39 Contracting out secure colleges

40 Powers of Youth Justice Board in relation to provision of accommodation

41 Youth cautions and conditional cautions: involvement of appropriate adults

42 Duties of custody officer after charge: arrested juveniles

43 Referral orders: alternatives to revocation for breach of youth offender contract

44 Referral orders: extension on further conviction

45 Referral orders: revocation on further conviction

PART 3
Courts and tribunals

46 Instituting proceedings by written charge

47 Instituting proceedings: further provision

48 Trial by single justice on the papers

49 Trial by single justice on the papers: sentencing etc

50 Further amendments

51 Offence of improper use of public electronic communications network

52 Low-value shoplifting: mode of trial

53 Committal of young offenders convicted of certain serious offences

54 Criminal courts charge

55 Duty to review criminal courts charge

56 Variation of collection orders etc

57 Personal injury claims: cases of fundamental dishonesty

58 Rules against inducements to make personal injury claims

59 Effect of rules against inducements

60 Inducements: interpretation

61 Inducements: regulations

62 Appeals from the Court of Protection

63 Appeals from the High Court to the Supreme Court

64 Appeals from the Upper Tribunal to the Supreme Court

65 Appeals from the Employment Appeal Tribunal to the Supreme Court

66 Appeals from the Special Immigration Appeals Commission to the Supreme Court

67 Wasted costs in certain civil proceedings

68 Upper age limit for jury service to be 75

69 Jurors and electronic communications devices

70 Jurors and electronic communications devices: powers of search etc

71 Research by jurors

72 Sharing research with other jurors

73 Jurors engaging in other prohibited conduct

74 Disclosing jury’s deliberations

75 Juries at inquests

76 Members of the Court Martial

77 Supplementary provision

78 Lifetime reporting restrictions in criminal proceedings for witnesses and victims under 18

79 Reporting restrictions in proceedings other than criminal proceedings

80 Reporting restrictions: information society services

81 Representations to Parliament by the President of the Supreme Court

82 The supplementary panel of the Supreme Court

83 Minor amendments

PART 4
Judicial review

84 Likelihood of substantially different outcome for applicant

85 Provision of information about financial resources

86 Use of information about financial resources

87 Interveners and costs

88 Capping of costs

89 Capping of costs: orders and their terms

90 Capping of costs: environmental cases

91 Procedure for certain planning challenges

92 Periods of time for certain legal challenges

PART 5
Final provisions

93 Power to make consequential and supplementary provision etc

94 Financial provision

95 Commencement

96 Extent

97 Channel Islands, Isle of Man and British overseas territories

98 Short title

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 1 Sentence and Parole Board release for offenders of particular concern

SCHEDULE 2 Electronic monitoring and licences etc: consequential provision

SCHEDULE 3 Recall adjudicators: further provision

SCHEDULE 4 Ill-treatment or wilful neglect: excluded health care

SCHEDULE 5 Minimum sentence for repeat offences involving offensive weapons etc: consequential provision

SCHEDULE 6 Offences committed by disqualified drivers: further amendments

SCHEDULE 7 Mutual recognition of driving disqualification in UK and Republic of Ireland

SCHEDULE 8 Disclosing private sexual photographs or films: providers of information society services

SCHEDULE 9 Secure colleges etc: further amendments

SCHEDULE 10 Contracting out secure colleges

SCHEDULE 11 Trial by single justice on the papers: further amendments

SCHEDULE 12 Further provision about criminal courts charge

SCHEDULE 13 Juries at inquests

SCHEDULE 14 Members of the Court Martial

SCHEDULE 15 Reporting restrictions: providers of information society services

SCHEDULE 16 Procedure for certain planning challenges

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 5Minimum sentence for repeat offences involving offensive weapons etc: consequential provision

Section 28

Mental Health Act 1983 (c. 20)

1

In section 37(1A) of the Mental Health Act 1983 (powers of courts to order hospital admission or guardianship)—

(a)

in paragraph (za), after “section” insert “1(2B) or”, and

(b)

in paragraph (aa), after “section” insert “139(6B), 139A(5B) or”.

Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33)

2

In section 36(2)(b) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (reviews of sentencing)—

(a)

in sub-paragraph (zi), after “section” insert “1(2B) or”, and

(b)

in sub-paragraph (ia), after “section” insert “139(6B), 139A(5B) or”.

Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (c. 6)

3

The Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 is amended as follows.

4

(1)

Section 12 (absolute and conditional discharge) is amended as follows.

(2)

In subsection (1), for the words from “section 110(2)” to “2006” substitute “a provision mentioned in subsection (1A)”.

(3)

After that subsection insert—

“(1A)

The provisions referred to in subsection (1) are—

(a)

section 1(2B) or 1A(5) of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953;

(b)

section 51A(2) of the Firearms Act 1968;

(c)

section 139(6B), 139A(5B) or 139AA(7) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988;

(d)

section 110(2) or 111(2) of this Act;

(e)

section 224A, 225(2) or 226(2) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003;

(f)

section 29(4) or (6) of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006.”

5

In section 100(1A) (offenders under 18: detention and training orders), for paragraphs (a) and (b) substitute—

“(a)

section 1(2B) or 1A(5) of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 (minimum sentence for certain offences involving offensive weapons);

(b)

section 139(6B), 139A(5B) or 139AA(7) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (minimum sentence for certain offences involving article with blade or point or offensive weapon).”

6

(1)

Section 130 (compensation orders against convicted persons) is amended as follows.

(2)

In subsection (2), for the words from “section 110(2)” to “2006” substitute “a provision mentioned in subsection (2ZA)”.

(3)

After that subsection insert—

“(2ZA)

The provisions referred to in subsection (2) are—

(a)

section 1(2B) or 1A(5) of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953;

(b)

section 51A(2) of the Firearms Act 1968;

(c)

section 139(6B), 139A(5B) or 139AA(7) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988;

(d)

section 110(2) or 111(2) of this Act;

(e)

section 224A, 225(2) or 226(2) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003;

(f)

section 29(4) or (6) of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006.”

7

(1)

Section 146 (driving disqualification for any offence) is amended as follows.

(2)

In subsection (2), for the words from “section 110(2)” to “2006” substitute “a provision mentioned in subsection (2A)”.

(3)

After that subsection insert—

“(2A)

The provisions referred to in subsection (2) are—

(a)

section 1(2B) or 1A(5) of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953;

(b)

section 51A(2) of the Firearms Act 1968;

(c)

section 139(6B), 139A(5B) or 139AA(7) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988;

(d)

section 110(2) or 111(2) of this Act;

(e)

section 224A, 225(2) or 226(2) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003;

(f)

section 29(4) or (6) of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006.”

8

In section 164(3) (further interpretive provisions)—

(a)

in paragraph (aa), after “section” insert “1(2B) or”, and

(b)

in paragraph (ba), after “section” insert “139(6B), 139(5B) or”.

Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44)

9

The Criminal Justice Act 2003 is amended as follows.

10

(1)

Section 142 (purposes of sentencing: offenders aged 18 or over) is amended as follows.

(2)

In subsection (2)(c), for the words from “section 1A(5)” to “detention for life for certain dangerous offenders)” substitute “a provision mentioned in subsection (2A)”.

(3)

After that subsection insert—

“(2AA)

The provisions referred to in subsection (2)(c) are—

(a)

section 1(2B) or 1A(5) of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 (minimum sentence for certain offences involving offensive weapons);

(b)

section 51A(2) of the Firearms Act 1968 (minimum sentence for certain firearms offences);

(c)

section 139(6B), 139A(5B) or 139AA(7) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (minimum sentence for certain offences involving article with blade or point or offensive weapon);

(d)

section 110(2) or 111(2) of the Sentencing Act (minimum sentence for certain drug trafficking and burglary offences);

(e)

section 224A of this Act (life sentence for second listed offence for certain dangerous offenders);

(f)

section 225(2) or 226(2) of this Act (imprisonment or detention for life for certain dangerous offenders);

(g)

section 29(4) or (6) of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (minimum sentence in certain cases of using someone to mind a weapon).”

11

(1)

Section 142A (purposes of sentencing: offenders under 18) is amended as follows.

(2)

In subsection (4), for paragraph (b) substitute—

“(b)

to an offence the sentence for which falls to be imposed under a provision mentioned in subsection (5), or”.

(3)

At the end insert—

“(5)

The provisions referred to in subsection (4)(b) are—

(a)

section 1(2B) or 1A(5) of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 (minimum sentence for certain offences involving offensive weapons);

(b)

section 51A(2) of the Firearms Act 1968 (minimum sentence for certain firearms offences);

(c)

section 139(6B), 139A(5B) or 139AA(7) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (minimum sentence for certain offences involving article with blade or point or offensive weapon);

(d)

section 226(2) of this Act (detention for life for certain dangerous offenders);

(e)

section 29(6) of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (minimum sentence in certain cases of using someone to mind a weapon).”

12

(1)

Section 144 (reduction in sentences for early guilty pleas) is amended as follows.

(2)

In subsection (2), for the words from “an offence” to “nothing” substitute “an offender who—

(a)

is convicted of an offence the sentence for which falls to be imposed under a provision mentioned in subsection (3), and

(b)

is aged 18 or over when convicted,

nothing”.

(3)

In subsection (3)—

(a)

for “section 1A(6)(a)” substitute “section 1(2B) or 1A(5)”, and

(b)

for “section 139AA(8)(a)” substitute “section 139(6B), 139A(5B) or 139AA(7)”.

(4)

In subsection (4), for the words from “an offence” to “nothing” substitute “an offender who—

(a)

is convicted of an offence the sentence for which falls to be imposed under a provision mentioned in subsection (5), and

(b)

is aged 16 or 17 when convicted,

nothing”.

(5)

In subsection (5)—

(a)

for “section 1A(6)(b)” substitute “section 1(2B) or 1A(5)”, and

(b)

for “section 139AA(8)(b)” substitute “section 139(6B), 139A(5B) or 139AA(7)”.

13

In section 150(2) (community order not available where sentence fixed by law etc), for paragraphs (a) and (b) substitute—

“(a)

falls to be imposed under section 1(2B) or 1A(5) of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 (minimum sentence for certain offences involving offensive weapons), or

(b)

falls to be imposed under section 139(6B), 139A(5B) or 139AA(7) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (minimum sentence for certain offences involving article with blade or point or offensive weapon).”

14

(1)

Section 152 (general restrictions on imposing discretionary custodial sentence) is amended as follows.

(2)

In subsection (1)(b), for the words from “section 1A(5)” to the end substitute “a provision mentioned in subsection (1A).”

(3)

After that subsection insert—

“(1A)

The provisions referred to in subsection (1)(b) are—

(a)

section 1(2B) or 1A(5) of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953;

(b)

section 51A(2) of the Firearms Act 1968;

(c)

section 139(6B), 139A(5B) or 139AA(7) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988;

(d)

section 110(2) or 111(2) of the Sentencing Act;

(e)

section 224A, 225(2) or 226(2) of this Act;

(f)

section 29(4) or (6) of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006.”

15

(1)

Section 153 (length of discretionary custodial sentences: general provision) is amended as follows.

(2)

In subsection (2), for the words from “section 1A(5)” to “this Act” substitute “the provisions listed in subsection (3)”.

(3)

After that subsection insert—

“(3)

The provisions referred to in subsection (2) are—

(a)

sections 1(2B) and 1A(5) of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953;

(b)

section 51A(2) of the Firearms Act 1968;

(c)

sections 139(6B), 139A(5B) and 139AA(7) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988;

(d)

sections 110(2) and 111(2) of the Sentencing Act;

(e)

sections 226A(4) and 226B(2) of this Act;

(f)

section 29(4) or (6) of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006.”

16

(1)

Section 305(4) (interpretation of Part 12) is amended as follows.

(2)

In paragraph (za)—

(a)

for “subsection (5) of section 1A” substitute “section 1(2B) or 1A(5)”, and

(b)

for “that subsection” substitute “that provision”.

(3)

In paragraph (aa)—

(a)

for “subsection (7) of section 139AA” substitute “section 139(6B), 139A(5B) or 139AA(7)”, and

(b)

for “that subsection” substitute “that provision”.

Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25)

17

(1)

Section 125(6) of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (sentencing guidelines: duty of court) is amended as follows.

(2)

In paragraph (ea)—

(a)

for “section” substitute “sections 1(2B) and”, and

(b)

for “offence of threatening with offensive weapon in public” substitute “certain offences involving offensive weapons”.

(3)

In paragraph (fa)—

(a)

for “section” substitute “sections 139(6B), 139A(5B) and”, and

(b)

for “offence of threatening with” substitute “certain offences involving”.