Legislation – Sentencing Act 2026

“118ABusiness plan

(1)

As soon as practicable after the beginning of each financial year, the Council must submit a business plan for the year to the Lord Chancellor for approval.

(2)

The business plan for a financial year must set out—

(a)

the matters about which the Council proposes to prepare sentencing guidelines in the year, and

(b)

the other activities it proposes to undertake in the year.

(3)

As soon as practicable after receiving a business plan submitted under subsection (1), the Lord Chancellor must consider the plan and decide whether to approve it.

(4)

If the Lord Chancellor approves the business plan for a financial year—

(a)

the Lord Chancellor must notify the Council, and

(b)

the Council must publish the plan once it has been so notified.

(5)

If the Lord Chancellor decides not to approve the business plan for a financial year, the Lord Chancellor must—

(a)

notify the Council, and

(b)

as soon as practicable after doing so, lay before Parliament a document stating the reason for the decision.”