Legislation – Sentencing Act 2020
Changes to legislation:
Sentencing Act 2020, Section 46 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 02 April 2026. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.![]()
Changes to Legislation
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Changes and effects yet to be applied to Section 46:
- Pt. 3 Ch. 6 inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 6(1)
- s. 34A and cross-heading inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 1
- s. 46(2) word inserted by 2026 c. 2 Sch. 5 para. 11(3)(a)
- s. 46(2) words omitted by 2026 c. 2 Sch. 5 para. 11(3)(b)
- s. 179(4A) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 11(1)
- s. 179A inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 12(2)
- s. 179A(1)(b)(i)(ii) substituted for words by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 16(2)
- s. 180(5) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 11(2)
- s. 186(8A) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 11(3)
- s. 202(1A)(1B) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 13(b)
- s. 202(1A)(b)(i)(ii) substituted for words by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 17(2)
- s. 204A inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 14(2)
- s. 204A(3)(c)(i)(ii) substituted for words by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 18(2)
- s. 207(A1) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 14(4)(a)
- s. 207(B1) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 15(3)
- s. 207(C1) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 16(3)
- s. 207(D1) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 17(3)
- s. 207(5) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 14(4)(b)
- s. 215(1A)(1B) inserted by 2022 c. 32 s. 149(2)(a)
- s. 215(2A) inserted by 2022 c. 32 s. 149(2)(c)
- s. 218(ba) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 38(3)(b)
- s. 220(2)(a) words in s. 220(2) renumbered as s. 220(2)(a) by 2026 c. 2 s. 38(4)(a)
- s. 220(2)(b) and word inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 38(4)(b)
- s. 226(2)(ba) and word substituted for s. 226(2)(c)(d) by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 43
- s. 230(3A) and words inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 2
- s. 234(1)(aa) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 27(1)(b)
- s. 234(1)(aa) omitted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 28(1)
- s. 235(3A) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 27(2)
- s. 236(2A) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 29(3)
- s. 236(2A)(b) word substituted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 47(b)
- s. 247A(7) omitted by 2026 c. 2 s. 34(2)
- s. 277A heading word substituted by 2020 c. 17, Sch. 22 para. 54A(b) (as inserted) by 2026 c. 2 Sch. 1 para. 4
- s. 277A(1)(a) word substituted by 2020 c. 17, Sch. 22 para. 54A(a) (as inserted) by 2026 c. 2 Sch. 1 para. 4
- s. 288(6) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 39(2)
- s. 291(A1) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 14(6)(a)
- s. 291(B1) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 15(5)
- s. 291(C1) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 16(5)
- s. 291(D1) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 17(6)
- s. 291(5) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 14(6)(b)
- s. 301(1A)(1B) inserted by 2022 c. 32 s. 149(3)(a)
- s. 301(2A) inserted by 2022 c. 32 s. 149(3)(c)
- s. 303(aa) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 39(3)
- s. 323(2A)–(2C) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 85(3)
- s. 343(4) inserted by 2022 c. 32 s. 178(2)
- s. 348A 348B inserted by 2022 c. 32 s. 178(4)
- s. 350(6C)(6D) inserted by 2022 c. 32 s. 178(5)
- s. 397A inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 15
- s. 397A(4)(a)(ia) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 19(2)(b)
- s. 397A(4)(a)(i) words omitted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 19(2)(a)
- s. 397A(5) words inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 19(3)
- s. 397A(6)(7) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 19(4)
- s. 418(2A) inserted by 2021 c. 11 Sch. 13 para. 43(5)
- Sch. 1 para. 13A inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 4(a)
- Sch. 9 para. 8D applied (with modifications) by 2006 c. 52, s. 183 (as amended) by 2026 c. 2 s. 17(15)
- Sch. 9 Pt. 4A inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 14(7)
- Sch. 9 Pt. 4B inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 15(6)
- Sch. 9 Pt. 4C inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 16(6)
- Sch. 9 Pt. 4D inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 17(8)(a)
- Sch. 9 para. 34(1A) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 17(8)(b)(ii)
- Sch. 9 para. 2(1)(1A) substituted for Sch. 9 para. 2(1) by 2026 c. 2 s. 37(2)(a)
- Sch. 10 para. 10(5)(d) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 21(2)(a)
- Sch. 10 para. 10(9A) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 21(2)(c)
- Sch. 10 para. 11(2)(d) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 21(3)(a)
- Sch. 10 para. 11(6A) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 21(3)(c)
- Sch. 10 Pt. 3A inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 38(5)(b)
- Sch. 10 para. 10(9A) omitted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 74(1)(b)
- Sch. 10 para. 11(6A) omitted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 75(1)(b)
- Sch. 10 para. 10(5)(d) words substituted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 25(a)
- Sch. 10 para. 10(5)(d) words substituted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 74(1)(a)
- Sch. 10 para. 11(2)(d) words substituted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 26(a)
- Sch. 10 para. 11(2)(d) words substituted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 75(1)(a)
- Sch. 16 para. 22A and cross-heading inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 39(5)
- Sch. 17 para. 25(da) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 39(6)
- Sch. 17A para. 24A inserted by 2020 c. 17, Sch. 22 para. 79A (as inserted) by 2021 c. 11 Sch. 13 para. 11(20)(m)
- Sch. 18 para. 26A and cross-heading inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 80
- Sch. 19 para. 22A and cross-heading inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 84
- Sch. 26 para. 13A inserted by 2021 c. 11 Sch. 13 para. 43(7)(a)
- Sch. 26 para. 15(a)(iii) inserted by 2021 c. 11 Sch. 13 para. 43(7)(c)
- Sch. 26 para. 19(a)(iia) inserted by 2021 c. 11 Sch. 13 para. 43(7)(e)(i)
- Sch. 26 para. 20(c) inserted by 2021 c. 11 Sch. 13 para. 43(7)(f)
- Sch. 26 para. 20A inserted by 2021 c. 11 Sch. 13 para. 43(7)(g)
- Sch. 26 para. 24A inserted by 2021 c. 11 Sch. 13 para. 43(7)(i)
- Sch. 26 para. 15(aa)–(ac) inserted by 2026 c. 2 Sch. 3 para. 16
- Sch. 27 para. 16(2)(a)(b) substituted for words by 2021 c. 11 Sch. 13 para. 43(8)
Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
- Pt. 3 Ch. 6 inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 6(1)
- s. 34A and cross-heading inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 1
- s. 179(4A) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 11(1)
- s. 179A inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 12(2)
- s. 179A(1)(b)(i)(ii) substituted for words by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 16(2)
- s. 180(5) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 11(2)
- s. 186(8A) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 11(3)
- s. 202(1A)(1B) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 13(b)
- s. 202(1A)(b)(i)(ii) substituted for words by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 17(2)
- s. 204A inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 14(2)
- s. 204A(3)(c)(i)(ii) substituted for words by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 18(2)
- s. 207(A1) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 14(4)(a)
- s. 207(B1) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 15(3)
- s. 207(C1) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 16(3)
- s. 207(D1) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 17(3)
- s. 207(5) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 14(4)(b)
- s. 215(1A)(1B) inserted by 2022 c. 32 s. 149(2)(a)
- s. 215(2A) inserted by 2022 c. 32 s. 149(2)(c)
- s. 218(ba) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 38(3)(b)
- s. 220(2)(a) words in s. 220(2) renumbered as s. 220(2)(a) by 2026 c. 2 s. 38(4)(a)
- s. 220(2)(b) and word inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 38(4)(b)
- s. 226(2)(ba) and word substituted for s. 226(2)(c)(d) by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 43
- s. 230(3A) and words inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 2
- s. 234(1)(aa) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 27(1)(b)
- s. 234(1)(aa) omitted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 28(1)
- s. 235(3A) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 27(2)
- s. 236(2A) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 29(3)
- s. 236(2A)(b) word substituted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 47(b)
- s. 247A(7) omitted by 2026 c. 2 s. 34(2)
- s. 277A heading word substituted by 2020 c. 17, Sch. 22 para. 54A(b) (as inserted) by 2026 c. 2 Sch. 1 para. 4
- s. 277A(1)(a) word substituted by 2020 c. 17, Sch. 22 para. 54A(a) (as inserted) by 2026 c. 2 Sch. 1 para. 4
- s. 288(6) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 39(2)
- s. 291(A1) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 14(6)(a)
- s. 291(B1) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 15(5)
- s. 291(C1) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 16(5)
- s. 291(D1) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 17(6)
- s. 291(5) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 14(6)(b)
- s. 301(1A)(1B) inserted by 2022 c. 32 s. 149(3)(a)
- s. 301(2A) inserted by 2022 c. 32 s. 149(3)(c)
- s. 303(aa) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 39(3)
- s. 323(2A)–(2C) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 85(3)
- s. 343(4) inserted by 2022 c. 32 s. 178(2)
- s. 348A 348B inserted by 2022 c. 32 s. 178(4)
- s. 350(6C)(6D) inserted by 2022 c. 32 s. 178(5)
- s. 397A inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 15
- s. 397A(4)(a)(ia) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 19(2)(b)
- s. 397A(4)(a)(i) words omitted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 19(2)(a)
- s. 397A(5) words inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 19(3)
- s. 397A(6)(7) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 19(4)
- s. 418(2A) inserted by 2021 c. 11 Sch. 13 para. 43(5)
- Sch. 1 para. 13A inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 4(a)
- Sch. 9 para. 8D applied (with modifications) by 2006 c. 52, s. 183 (as amended) by 2026 c. 2 s. 17(15)
- Sch. 9 Pt. 4A inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 14(7)
- Sch. 9 Pt. 4B inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 15(6)
- Sch. 9 Pt. 4C inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 16(6)
- Sch. 9 Pt. 4D inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 17(8)(a)
- Sch. 9 para. 34(1A) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 17(8)(b)(ii)
- Sch. 9 para. 2(1)(1A) substituted for Sch. 9 para. 2(1) by 2026 c. 2 s. 37(2)(a)
- Sch. 10 para. 10(5)(d) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 21(2)(a)
- Sch. 10 para. 10(9A) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 21(2)(c)
- Sch. 10 para. 11(2)(d) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 21(3)(a)
- Sch. 10 para. 11(6A) inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 21(3)(c)
- Sch. 10 Pt. 3A inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 38(5)(b)
- Sch. 10 para. 10(9A) omitted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 74(1)(b)
- Sch. 10 para. 11(6A) omitted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 75(1)(b)
- Sch. 10 para. 10(5)(d) words substituted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 25(a)
- Sch. 10 para. 10(5)(d) words substituted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 74(1)(a)
- Sch. 10 para. 11(2)(d) words substituted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 26(a)
- Sch. 10 para. 11(2)(d) words substituted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 75(1)(a)
- Sch. 16 para. 22A and cross-heading inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 39(5)
- Sch. 17 para. 25(da) inserted by 2026 c. 2 s. 39(6)
- Sch. 17A para. 24A inserted by 2020 c. 17, Sch. 22 para. 79A (as inserted) by 2021 c. 11 Sch. 13 para. 11(20)(m)
- Sch. 18 para. 26A and cross-heading inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 80
- Sch. 19 para. 22A and cross-heading inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 22 para. 84
- Sch. 26 para. 13A inserted by 2021 c. 11 Sch. 13 para. 43(7)(a)
- Sch. 26 para. 15(a)(iii) inserted by 2021 c. 11 Sch. 13 para. 43(7)(c)
- Sch. 26 para. 19(a)(iia) inserted by 2021 c. 11 Sch. 13 para. 43(7)(e)(i)
- Sch. 26 para. 20(c) inserted by 2021 c. 11 Sch. 13 para. 43(7)(f)
- Sch. 26 para. 20A inserted by 2021 c. 11 Sch. 13 para. 43(7)(g)
- Sch. 26 para. 24A inserted by 2021 c. 11 Sch. 13 para. 43(7)(i)
- Sch. 26 para. 15(aa)–(ac) inserted by 2026 c. 2 Sch. 3 para. 16
- Sch. 27 para. 16(2)(a)(b) substituted for words by 2021 c. 11 Sch. 13 para. 43(8)
SECOND GROUP OF PARTSProvisions applying to sentencing courts generally
PART 3Procedure
CHAPTER 4Criminal courts charge
46Criminal courts charge duty
(1)
Where the criminal courts charge duty applies to a court in relation to an offender, the court must order the offender to pay a charge in respect of relevant court costs, unless—
(a)
the offender was aged under 18 when the offence was committed,
(b)
the offence was committed before 13 April 2015, or
(c)
the case is, or is of a class, prescribed by the Lord Chancellor by regulations.
But this is subject to section 15(2) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (effect on duty when proceedings on confiscation order are postponed).
(2)
In this section—
“court costs” means costs of providing the judiciary and the rest of the system of courts, but does not include defence or prosecution costs;
“relevant court costs” means court costs incurred in connection with—
(a)
criminal proceedings, or
(b)
proceedings for a relevant failure,
but does not include costs of providing the Supreme Court or judges of that Court;
“relevant failure” means a failure to comply with—
(a)
a requirement of a community order,
(b)
a community requirement of a suspended sentence order, or
(c)
a supervision requirement imposed under section 256AA of the Criminal Justice Act 2003.
(3)
In this Code, “criminal courts charge order” means an order under subsection (1).