Legislation – Sentencing Act 2020
Changes to legislation:
Sentencing Act 2020, Section 56 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 15 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 56:
- 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. 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. 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 5Duties to explain or give reasons
56Other duties of court to give reasons where certain orders not made
(1)
For other duties of the court dealing with an offender for an offence to give reasons, in certain circumstances, for a decision not to make an order, see—
|
Duty to give reasons |
Type of order |
Type of offence |
|---|---|---|
|
Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 |
||
|
section 33(2)(c) |
travel restriction order under section 33 |
sentence of imprisonment for certain drug-trafficking offences |
|
Animal Welfare Act 2006 |
||
|
section 33(6) |
order under section 33 (deprivation) |
certain offences under that Act |
|
section 34(8) |
order under section 34 (disqualification) |
certain offences under that Act |
|
Football Spectators Act 1989 |
||
|
section 14A(3) |
banning order under Part 2 |
relevant offence within the meaning of that Part |
|
Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013 |
||
|
section 4(4) |
unlawful profit order under section 4 |
offence under section 1 or 2 |
|
Modern Slavery Act 2015 |
||
|
section 8(7)(b) |
slavery and trafficking reparation order |
offence under section 1, 2 or 4 |
(2)
Nothing in this section is to be taken to affect—
(a)
any power to make an order mentioned in the table in subsection (1), or
(b)
any requirement to give reasons for a decision not to exercise any power to make an order not mentioned in the table.