Legislation – Sentencing Act 2020
Changes to legislation:
Sentencing Act 2020, Section 8 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 09 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 8:
- 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)
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 2Powers exercisable before passing sentence
CHAPTER 1Deferment of sentence
8Deferment order: supervisor
(1)Appointment of supervisor
Where a court makes a deferment order that imposes deferment requirements, it may appoint—
(a)
an officer of a provider of probation services, or
(b)
any other person the court thinks appropriate who consents to the appointment,
to act as a supervisor in relation to the offender.
(2)Function of supervisor
A supervisor must—
(a)
monitor the offender’s compliance with the deferment requirements, and
(b)
provide the court which deals with the offender for any offence in respect of which the order was made with such information as the court may require relating to the offender’s compliance with the deferment requirements.
(3)Supervisor appointed under subsection (1)(b): power of magistrates’ court to issue summons
Where—
(a)
a deferment order imposes deferment requirements,
(b)
it falls to a magistrates’ court to—
(i)
deal with the offender for any offence in respect of which the order was made, or
(ii)
determine under section 9(3)(b) whether the offender has failed to comply with a deferment requirement, and
(c)
a justice of the peace is satisfied that a supervisor appointed under subsection (1)(b)—
(i)
is likely to be able to give evidence that may assist the court in doing so, and
(ii)
will not voluntarily attend as a witness,
the justice may issue a summons directed to that supervisor requiring the supervisor to attend before the court at the time and place appointed in the summons to give evidence.