Legislation – Coroners and Justice Act 2009

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Introduction

Part 1
Coroners

Chapter 1 Investigations into deaths

Duty to investigate

1 Duty to investigate certain deaths

Investigation by other coroner

2 Request for other coroner to conduct investigation

3 Direction for other coroner to conduct investigation

Discontinuance of investigation

4 Discontinuance where cause of death becomes clear before inquest

Purpose of investigation

5 Matters to be ascertained

Inquests

6 Duty to hold inquest

7 Whether jury required

8 Assembling a jury

9 Determinations and findings by jury

9A Surrender of electronic communications devices by jurors

9B Surrender of electronic communications devices: powers of search etc

9C Inquests without jury to be conducted at hearing or in writing

Outcome of investigation

10 Determinations and findings to be made

Suspension

11 Duty or power to suspend or resume investigations

Deaths related to the Northern Ireland Troubles

11A Investigations and inquests into Troubles-related deaths

Death of service personnel abroad

12 Investigation in Scotland

13 Investigation in England and Wales despite body being brought to Scotland

Ancillary powers of coroners in relation to deaths

14 Post-mortem examinations

15 Power to remove body

Miscellaneous

16 Investigations lasting more than a year

17 Monitoring of and training for investigations into deaths of service personnel

Chapter 2 Notification, certification and registration of deaths

18 Notification by medical practitioner to senior coroner

18A Medical examiners: England

18B Medical examiners: Wales

19 Medical examiners : supplementary

20 Medical certificate of cause of death

21 National Medical Examiner

Chapter 3 Coroner areas, appointments etc

22 Coroner areas

23 Appointment etc of senior coroners, area coroners and assistant coroners

24 Provision of staff and accommodation

Chapter 4 Investigations concerning treasure

25 Coroner for Treasure and Assistant Coroners for Treasure

26 Investigations concerning treasure

27 Inquests concerning treasure

28 Outcome of investigations concerning treasure

29 Exception to duty to investigate

30 Duty to notify Coroner for Treasure etc of acquisition of certain objects

31 Code of practice under the Treasure Act 1996

Chapter 5 Further provision to do with investigations and deaths

32 Powers of coroners

33 Offences

34 Allowances, fees and expenses

Chapter 6 Governance etc

35 Chief Coroner and Deputy Chief Coroners

36 Reports and advice to the Lord Chancellor from the Chief Coroner

37 Regulations about training

38 Medical Adviser and Deputy Medical Advisers to the Chief Coroner

39 Inspection of coroner system

40 Appeals to the Chief Coroner

41 Investigation by Chief Coroner or Coroner for Treasure or by judge, former judge or former coroner

42 Guidance by the Lord Chancellor

Chapter 7 Supplementary

43 Coroners regulations

44 Treasure regulations

45 Coroners rules

46 Abolition of the office of coroner of the Queen’s household

47 “Interested person”

48 Interpretation: general

49 Amendments to the Coroners Act (Northern Ireland) 1959

50 Amendments to the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act 1976

51 Public funding for advocacy at certain inquests

Part 2
Criminal offences

Chapter 1 Murder, infanticide and suicide

52 Persons suffering from diminished responsibility (England and Wales)

53 Persons suffering from diminished responsibility (Northern Ireland)

54 Partial defence to murder: loss of control

55 Meaning of “qualifying trigger”

56 Abolition of common law defence of provocation

57 Infanticide (England and Wales)

58 Infanticide (Northern Ireland)

59 Encouraging or assisting suicide (England and Wales)

60 Encouraging or assisting suicide (Northern Ireland)

61 Encouraging or assisting suicide: information society services

Chapter 2 Images of children

62 Possession of prohibited images of children

63 Exclusion of classified film etc

64 Defences

65 Meaning of “image” and “child”

66 Penalties

67 Entry, search, seizure and forfeiture

68 Special rules relating to providers of information society services

69 Indecent pseudo-photographs of children: marriage etc

Chapter 3 Other offences

70 Genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes

71 Slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour

72 Conspiracy

73 Abolition of common law libel offences etc

Part 3
Criminal evidence, investigations and procedure

Chapter 1 Anonymity in investigations

74 Qualifying offences

75 Qualifying criminal investigations

76 Investigation anonymity orders

77 Applications

78 Conditions for making order

79 Appeal against refusal of order

80 Discharge of order

81 Delegation of functions

82 Public interest immunity

83 Review

84 Application to armed forces

85 Interpretation of this Chapter

Chapter 2 Anonymity of witnesses

86 Witness anonymity orders

87 Applications

88 Conditions for making order

89 Relevant considerations

90 Warning to jury

91 Discharge or variation of order

92 Discharge or variation after proceedings

93 Discharge or variation by appeal court

94 Special provisions for service courts

95 Public interest immunity

96 Power to make orders under the 2008 Act

97 Interpretation of this Chapter

Chapter 3 Vulnerable and intimidated witnesses

98 Eligibility for special measures: age of child witnesses

99 Eligibility for special measures: offences involving weapons

100 Special measures directions for child witnesses

101 Special provisions relating to sexual offences

102 Evidence by live link: presence of supporter

103 Video recorded evidence in chief: supplementary testimony

104 Examination of accused through intermediary

105 Age of child complainant

Chapter 4 Live links

106 Directions to attend through live link

107 Answering to live link bail

108 Searches of persons answering to live link bail

109 Use of live link in certain enforcement hearings

110 Direction of registrar for appeal hearing by live link

Chapter 5 Miscellaneous

111 Effect of admission of video recording

112 Admissibility of evidence of previous complaints

113 Powers in respect of offenders who assist investigations and prosecutions

114 Bail: risk of committing an offence causing injury

115 Bail decisions in murder cases to be made by Crown Court judge

116 Indictment of offenders

117 Detention of persons under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000

Part 4
Sentencing

Chapter 1 Sentencing Council for England and Wales

118 Sentencing Council for England and Wales

119 Annual report

120 Sentencing guidelines

121 Sentencing ranges

122 Allocation guidelines

123 Preparation or revision of guidelines in urgent cases

124 Proposals by Lord Chancellor or Court of Appeal

125 Sentencing guidelines: duty of court

126 Determination of tariffs etc

127 Resource implications of guidelines

128 Monitoring

129 Promoting awareness

130 Resources: effect of sentencing practice

131 Resources: effect of factors not related to sentencing

132 Duty to assess impact of policy and legislative proposals

133 Assistance by the Lord Chancellor

134 Entrenchment of Lord Chancellor’s functions

135 Abolition of existing sentencing bodies

136 Interpretation of this Chapter

Chapter 2 Other provisions relating to sentencing

137 Extension of driving disqualification

138 Dangerous offenders: terrorism offences (England and Wales)

139 Dangerous offenders: terrorism offences (Northern Ireland)

140 Appeals against certain confiscation orders (England and Wales)

141 Appeals against certain confiscation orders (Northern Ireland)

Part 5
Miscellaneous criminal justice provisions

142 Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses

143 Implementation of E-Commerce and Services directives: penalties

144 Treatment of convictions in other member States etc

145 Transfer to Parole Board of functions under the Criminal Justice Act 1991

146 Retention of knives surrendered or seized (England and Wales)

147 Retention of knives surrendered or seized (Northern Ireland)

148 Security in tribunal buildings

Part 6
Legal aid and other payments for legal services

149 Community Legal Service: pilot schemes

150 Excluded services: help in connection with business matters

151 Criminal Defence Service: information requests

152 Criminal Defence Service: enforcement of order to pay cost of representation

153 Statutory instruments relating to the Legal Services Commission

154 Damages-based agreements relating to employment matters

Part 7
Criminal memoirs etc

155 Exploitation proceeds orders

156 Qualifying offenders

157 Qualifying offenders: service offences

158 Qualifying offenders: supplementary

159 Relevant offences

160 Deriving a benefit

161 Applications

162 Determination of applications

163 Limits on recoverable amount

164 The available amount

165 Property

166 Effect of conviction being quashed etc

167 Powers of court on repeat applications

168 Additional proceeds reporting orders

169 Exploitation proceeds investigations

170 Functions of Serious Organised Crime Agency

171 Limitation

172 Interpretation of this Part

Part 8
Data Protection Act 1998

173 Assessment notices

174 Data-sharing code of practice

175 Further amendments of the Data Protection Act 1998 (c. 29)

Part 9
General

176 Orders, regulations and rules

177 Consequential etc amendments and transitional and saving provisions

178 Repeals

179 Financial provision

180 Effect of amendments to provisions applied for purposes of service law

181 Extent

182 Commencement

183 Short title

SCHEDULES

Schedule 1 Duty or power to suspend or resume investigations

SCHEDULE 1A Investigations and inquests into Troubles-related deaths

Schedule 2 Coroner areas

Schedule 3 Appointment etc of senior coroners, area coroners and assistant coroners

Schedule 4 Coroner for Treasure and Assistant Coroners for Treasure

Schedule 5 Powers of coroners

Schedule 6 Offences

Schedule 7 Allowances, fees and expenses

Schedule 8 Chief Coroner and Deputy Chief Coroners

Schedule 9 Medical adviser and Deputy medical advisers to the Chief Coroner

Schedule 10 Investigation by Chief Coroner or Coroner for Treasure or by judge, former judge or former coroner

Schedule 11 Amendments to the Coroners Act (Northern Ireland) 1959

Schedule 12 Encouraging or assisting suicide: providers of information society services

Schedule 13 Prohibited images: providers of information society services

Schedule 14 Schedule 1A to the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999

Schedule 15 The Sentencing Council for England and Wales

Schedule 16 Extension of disqualification for driving

Schedule 17 Treatment of convictions in other member States etc

Schedule 18 Motor vehicle orders

Schedule 19 Exploitation proceeds investigations

Schedule 20 Amendments of the Data Protection Act 1998 (c. 29)

Schedule 21 Minor and consequential amendments

Schedule 22 Transitional, transitory and saving provisions

Schedule 23 Repeals

Changes to legislation:

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Schedules

Schedule 16Extension of disqualification for driving

Section 137

Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 1980 (S.I. 1980/704 (N.I. 6))

1

After Article 8 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 1980 insert—

“Extension of disqualification where custodial sentence also imposed8A

(1)

This Article applies where a person is convicted of an offence for which the court—

(a)

imposes a custodial sentence, and

(b)

orders the person to be disqualified under Article 8 for holding or obtaining a driving licence or a provisional licence granted under Part 2 of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (S.I. 1981/154 (N.I. 1)).

(2)

The order under Article 8 must provide for the person to be disqualified for the appropriate extension period, in addition to the discretionary disqualification period.

(3)

The discretionary disqualification period is the period for which, in the absence of this Article, the court would have disqualified the person under Article 8.

(4)

The appropriate extension period is—

(a)

where a court imposes a sentence under Article 45(2) of the Criminal Justice (Children)
(Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (S.I. 1998/1504 (N.I. 9))
(punishment of grave crimes: indeterminate sentences), a period equal to the period specified in the sentence under Article 45(2) of that Order less any relevant discount;

(b)

where an order under Article 5(1) of the Life Sentences (Northern Ireland) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2564 (N.I. 2))
(determination of tariffs) is made in relation to the custodial sentence, a period equal to the part of the sentence specified in that order less any relevant discount;

(c)

where Article 8(1) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1216 (N.I. 1))
(sentence for a determinate term) applies in relation to the custodial sentence, a period equal to the custodial period specified pursuant to Article 8(2) of that Order less any relevant discount;

(d)

where a court imposes a sentence under Article 13(3) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (indeterminate custodial sentences for serious offences), a period equal to the period specified pursuant to Article 13(3)(b) of that Order less any relevant discount;

(e)

where Article 14(3) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (extended custodial sentences for certain offences where the offender is aged over 21) applies in relation to the custodial sentence, a period equal to half of the term imposed pursuant to Article 14(3)(a) of that Order calculated after that term has been reduced by any relevant discount;

(f)

where Article 14(5) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (extended custodial sentences for certain offences where the offender is aged under 21) applies in relation to the custodial sentence, a period equal to half of the term imposed pursuant to Article 14(5)(a) of that Order calculated after that term has been reduced by any relevant discount;

(g)

in any other case, a period equal to half the custodial sentence imposed calculated after that sentence has been reduced by any relevant discount.

(5)

If a period determined under paragraph (4) includes a fraction of a day, that period is to be rounded up to the nearest number of whole days.

(6)

The “relevant discount” is the number of days by which the custodial sentence is treated as reduced by virtue of section 26(2) of the Treatment of Offenders Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 (c. 29)
(periods in custody before sentence passed etc).

(7)

This Article does not apply where—

(a)

the custodial sentence was a suspended sentence, or

(b)

the court has made an order under Article 5(3) of the Life Sentences (Northern Ireland) Order 2001 (life sentence: no early release) in relation to the custodial sentence.

(8)

Paragraph (9) applies where an amending order provides that the proportion of a prisoner’s sentence referred to in Article 18(2)(b) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (duty to release prisoners serving extended custodial sentences) is to be read as a reference to another proportion (“the new proportion”).

(9)

The Secretary of State may by order provide that the proportion specified in paragraph (4)(e) and (f) of this Article is to be read, in the case of a custodial sentence to which the amending order applies, as a reference to the new proportion.

(10)

An order under paragraph (9) is subject to annulment by a resolution of either House of Parliament in like manner as a statutory instrument and section 5 of the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 (instruments subject to F1negative resolution.

(11)

In this Article—

amending order” means an order under Article 18(9) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (alteration by order of relevant part of sentence);

custodial sentence” has the meaning given by Article 4 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008;

suspended sentence” means a suspended sentence or order for detention under section 18 of the Treatment of Offenders Act (Northern Ireland) 1968.

Effect of custodial sentence in other cases8B

(1)

This Article applies where a person is convicted of an offence for which a court proposes to order the person to be disqualified under Article 8 for holding or obtaining a driving licence or a provisional licence granted under Part 2 of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (S.I. 1981/154 (N.I. 1)) and—

(a)

the court proposes to impose on the person a custodial sentence (other than a suspended sentence) for another offence, or

(b)

at the time of sentencing for the offence, a custodial sentence imposed on the person on an earlier occasion has not expired.

(2)

In determining the period for which the person is to be disqualified under Article 8, the court must have regard to the consideration in paragraph (3) if and to the extent that it is appropriate to do so.

(3)

The consideration is the diminished effect of disqualification as a distinct punishment if the person who is disqualified is also detained in pursuance of a custodial sentence.

(4)

If the court proposes to order the person to be disqualified under Article 8 and to impose a custodial sentence for the same offence, the court may not in relation to that disqualification take that custodial sentence into account for the purposes of paragraph (2).

(5)

In this Article “custodial sentence” and “suspended sentence” have the same meaning as in Article 8A.”

Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (c. 53)

2

(1)

The Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 is amended as follows.

(2)

After section 35 insert—

“35AExtension of disqualification where custodial sentence also imposed

(1)

This section applies where a person is convicted in England and Wales of an offence for which the court—

(a)

imposes a custodial sentence, and

(b)

orders the person to be disqualified under section 34 or 35.

(2)

The order under section 34 or 35 must provide for the person to be disqualified for the appropriate extension period, in addition to the discretionary disqualification period.

(3)

The discretionary disqualification period is the period for which, in the absence of this section, the court would have disqualified the person under section 34 or 35.

(4)

The appropriate extension period is—

(a)

where an order under section 82A(2) of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (life sentence: determination of tariffs) is made in relation to the custodial sentence, a period equal to the part of the sentence specified in that order;

(b)

in the case of a detention and training order under section 100 of that Act (offenders under 18: detention and training orders), a period equal to half the term of that order;

(c)

where an order under section 181 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (prison sentences of less than 12 months) is made in relation to the custodial sentence, a period equal to the custodial period specified pursuant to section 181(3)(a) of that Act less any relevant discount;

(d)

where an order under section 183 of that Act (intermittent custody orders) is made in relation to the custodial sentence, a period equal to the number of custodial days specified pursuant to section 183(1)(a) of that Act less any relevant discount;

(e)

where section 227 of that Act (extended sentence for certain violent or sexual offences: persons 18 or over) applies in relation to the custodial sentence, a period equal to half the term imposed pursuant to section 227(2C)(a) of that Act calculated after that term has been reduced by any relevant discount;

(f)

where section 228 of that Act (extended sentence for certain violent or sexual offences: persons under 18) applies in relation to the custodial sentence, a period equal to half the term imposed pursuant to section 228(2B)(a) of that Act calculated after that term has been reduced by any relevant discount;

(g)

where an order under section 269(2) of that Act (determination of minimum term in relation to mandatory life sentence: early release) is made in relation to the custodial sentence, a period equal to the part of the sentence specified in that order;

(h)

in any other case, a period equal to half the custodial sentence imposed calculated after that sentence has been reduced by any relevant discount.

(5)

If a period determined under subsection (4) includes a fraction of a day, that period is to be rounded up to the nearest number of whole days.

(6)

The “relevant discount” is the total number of days to count as time served by virtue of a direction under—

(a)

section 240 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (crediting periods of remand in custody), or

(b)

section 240A of that Act (crediting periods of remand on bail).

(7)

This section does not apply where—

(a)

the custodial sentence was a suspended sentence,

(b)

the court has made an order under section 269(4) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (determination of minimum term in relation to mandatory life sentence: no early release) in relation to the custodial sentence, or

(c)

the court has made an order under section 82A(4) of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (determination of minimum term in relation to discretionary life sentence: no early release) in relation to the custodial sentence.

(8)

Subsection (9) applies where an amending order provides that the proportion of a prisoner’s sentence referred to in section 244(3)(a) or 247(2) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (release of prisoners in certain circumstances) is to be read as a reference to another proportion (“the new proportion”).

(9)

The Secretary of State may by order—

(a)

if the amending order makes provision in respect of section 244(3)(a) of that Act, provide that the proportion specified in subsection (4)(h) of this section is to be read, in the case of a custodial sentence to which the amending order applies, as a reference to the new proportion;

(b)

if the amending order makes provision in respect of section 247(2) of that Act, provide that the proportion specified in subsection (4)(e) and (f) of this section is to be read, in the case of a custodial sentence to which the amending order applies, as a reference to the new proportion.

(10)

An order under subsection (9) is to be made by statutory instrument and a draft of the statutory instrument containing the order must be laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(11)

In this section—

amending order” means an order under section 267 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (alteration by order of relevant proportion of sentence);

custodial sentence” has the meaning given by section 76 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000;

suspended sentence” has the meaning given by section 189 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003.”

“35BEffect of custodial sentence in other cases

(1)

This section applies where a person is convicted in England and Wales of an offence for which a court proposes to order the person to be disqualified under section 34 or 35 and—

(a)

the court proposes to impose on the person a custodial sentence (other than a suspended sentence) for another offence, or

(b)

at the time of sentencing for the offence, a custodial sentence imposed on the person on an earlier occasion has not expired.

(2)

In determining the period for which the person is to be disqualified under section 34 or 35, the court must have regard to the consideration in subsection (3) if and to the extent that it is appropriate to do so.

(3)

The consideration is the diminished effect of disqualification as a distinct punishment if the person who is disqualified is also detained in pursuance of a custodial sentence.

(4)

If the court proposes to order the person to be disqualified under section 34 or 35 and to impose a custodial sentence for the same offence, the court may not in relation to that disqualification take that custodial sentence into account for the purposes of subsection (2).

(5)

In this section “custodial sentence” and “suspended sentence” have the same meaning as in section 35A.”

(3)

After section 35B (as inserted by sub-paragraph (2)) insert—

“35CExtension of disqualification where sentence of imprisonment also imposed: Scotland

(1)

This section applies where a person is convicted in Scotland of an offence for which the court—

(a)

imposes a sentence of imprisonment, and

(b)

orders the person to be disqualified under section 34 or 35.

(2)

The order under section 34 or 35 must provide for the person to be disqualified for the appropriate extension period, in addition to the discretionary disqualification period.

(3)

The discretionary disqualification period is the period for which, in the absence of this section, the court would have disqualified the person under section 34 or 35.

(4)

The appropriate extension period is—

(a)

in the case of a life prisoner, a period equal to the punishment part of the life sentence;

(b)

in the case of a custody and community prisoner, a period equal to half the custody part of the sentence of imprisonment;

(c)

in the case of a person serving an extended sentence, a period equal to half the confinement term;

(d)

in any other case, a period equal to half the sentence of imprisonment imposed.

(5)

If a period determined under subsection (4) includes a fraction of a day, that period is to be rounded up to the nearest number of whole days.

(6)

For the purposes of subsection (4), a sentence is to be taken to start on the date of commencement of the sentence.

(7)

Subsection (8) applies where an amending order provides for a different proportion (“the new proportion”) to be substituted for the proportion of a prisoner’s sentence referred to in section 6(4)(a) of the Custodial Sentences and Weapons (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 17) (“the 2007 Act”).

(8)

The Secretary of State may by order provide that the proportion specified in subsection (4)(b) and (c) of this section is to be read, in the case of a sentence of imprisonment to which the amending order applies, as a reference to the new proportion.

(9)

An order under subsection (8) is to be made by statutory instrument and a draft of the statutory instrument containing the order must be laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(10)

In this section—

amending order” means an order made by the Scottish Ministers under section 7 of the 2007 Act;

confinement term” has the meaning given by section 210A(2)(a) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (“the 1995 Act”);

custody and community prisoner” has the meaning given by section 4 of the 2007 Act;

custody part” has the meaning given by section 6(3) of the 2007 Act;

extended sentence” has the meaning given by section 210A of the 1995 Act;

life prisoner” has the meaning given by section 4 of the 2007 Act;

punishment part” has the meaning given by section 4 of the 2007 Act;

sentence of imprisonment” includes—

(a)

an order for detention in residential accommodation under section 44 of the 1995 Act, and

(b)

a sentence of detention under section 205, 207 or 208 of the 1995 Act.

35DEffect of sentence of imprisonment in other cases: Scotland

(1)

This section applies where a person is convicted in Scotland of an offence for which a court proposes to order the person to be disqualified under section 34 or 35 and—

(a)

the court proposes to impose on the person a sentence of imprisonment for another offence, or

(b)

at the time of sentencing for the offence, a sentence of imprisonment imposed on the person on an earlier occasion has not expired.

(2)

In determining the period for which the person is to be disqualified under section 34 or 35, the court must have regard to the consideration in subsection (3) if and to the extent that it is appropriate to do so.

(3)

The consideration is the diminished effect of disqualification as a distinct punishment if the person who is disqualified is also detained in pursuance of a sentence of imprisonment.

(4)

If the court proposes to order the person to be disqualified under section 34 or 35 and to impose a sentence of imprisonment for the same offence, the court may not in relation to that disqualification take that sentence of imprisonment into account for the purposes of subsection (2).

(5)

In this section “sentence of imprisonment” has the same meaning as in section 35C.”

Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (c. 46)

3

After section 248C of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 insert—

“248DExtension of disqualification where sentence of imprisonment also imposed

(1)

This section applies where a person is convicted of an offence for which the court—

(a)

imposes a sentence of imprisonment, and

(b)

orders the person to be disqualified under section 248 or 248A of this Act from holding or obtaining a driving licence.

(2)

The order under section 248 or 248A of this Act must provide for the person to be disqualified for the appropriate extension period, in addition to the discretionary disqualification period.

(3)

The discretionary disqualification period is the period for which, in the absence of this section, the court would have disqualified the person under section 248 or 248A of this Act.

(4)

The appropriate extension period is—

(a)

in the case of a life prisoner, a period equal to the punishment part of the life sentence;

(b)

in the case of a custody and community prisoner, a period equal to half the custody part of the sentence of imprisonment;

(c)

in the case of a person serving an extended sentence, a period equal to half the confinement term;

(d)

in any other case, a period equal to half the sentence of imprisonment imposed.

(5)

If a period determined under subsection (4) includes a fraction of a day, that period is to be rounded up to the nearest number of whole days.

(6)

For the purposes of subsection (4), a sentence is to be taken to start on the date of commencement of the sentence.

(7)

Subsection (8) applies where an amending order provides for a different proportion (“the new proportion”) to be substituted for the proportion of a prisoner’s sentence referred to in section 6(4)(a) of the Custodial Sentences and Weapons (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 17)
(“the 2007 Act”).

(8)

The Secretary of State may by order provide that the proportion specified in subsection (4)(b) and (c) of this section is to be read, in the case of a sentence of imprisonment to which the amending order relates, as a reference to the new proportion.

(9)

An order under subsection (8) is to be made by statutory instrument and a draft of the statutory instrument containing the order must be laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(10)

In this section—

amending order” means an order made by the Scottish Ministers under section 7 of the 2007 Act;

confinement term” has the meaning given by section 210A(2)(a) of this Act;

custody and community prisoner” has the meaning given by section 4 of the 2007 Act;

custody part” has the meaning given by section 6(3) of the 2007 Act;

extended sentence” has the meaning given by section 210A of this Act;

life prisoner” has the meaning given by section 4 of the 2007 Act;

punishment part” has the meaning given by section 4 of the 2007 Act;

sentence of imprisonment” includes—

(a)

an order for detention in residential accommodation under section 44 of this Act, and

(b)

a sentence of detention under section 205, 207 or 208 of this Act.

248EEffect of sentence of imprisonment in other cases

(1)

This section applies where a person is convicted of an offence for which a court proposes to order the person to be disqualified under section 248 or 248A from holding or obtaining a driving licence and—

(a)

the court proposes to impose on the person a sentence of imprisonment for another offence, or

(b)

at the time of sentencing for the offence, a sentence of imprisonment imposed on the person on an earlier occasion has not expired.

(2)

In determining the period for which the person is to be disqualified under section 248 or 248A, the court must have regard to the consideration in subsection (3) if and to the extent that it is appropriate to do so.

(3)

The consideration is the diminished effect of disqualification as a distinct punishment if the person who is disqualified is also detained in pursuance of a sentence of imprisonment.

(4)

If the court proposes to order the person to be disqualified under section 248 or 248A and to impose a sentence of imprisonment for the same offence, the court may not in relation to that disqualification take that sentence of imprisonment into account for the purposes of subsection (2).

(5)

In this section “sentence of imprisonment” has the same meaning as in section 248D.”

Road Traffic Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/1320 (N.I. 10))

4

After Article 40 of the Road Traffic Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 insert—

“Extension of disqualification where custodial sentence also imposed40A

(1)

This Article applies where a person is convicted of an offence for which the court—

(a)

imposes a custodial sentence, and

(b)

orders the person to be disqualified under Article 35 or 40.

(2)

The order under Article 35 or 40 must provide for the person to be disqualified for the appropriate extension period, in addition to the discretionary disqualification period.

(3)

The discretionary disqualification period is the period for which, in the absence of this Article, the court would have disqualified the person under Article 35 or 40.

(4)

The appropriate extension period is—

(a)

where a court imposes a sentence under Article 45(2) of the Criminal Justice (Children)
(Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (S.I. 1998/1504 (N.I. 9))
(punishment of grave crimes: indeterminate sentences), a period equal to the period specified in the sentence under Article 45(2) of that Order less any relevant discount;

(b)

where an order under Article 5(1) of the Life Sentences (Northern Ireland) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2564 (N.I. 2))
(determination of tariffs) is made in relation to the custodial sentence, a period equal to the part of the sentence specified in that order less any relevant discount;

(c)

where Article 8(1) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1216 (N.I. 1))
(sentence for a determinate term) applies in relation to the custodial sentence, a period equal to the custodial period specified pursuant to Article 8(2) of that Order less any relevant discount;

(d)

where a court imposes a sentence under Article 13(3) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (indeterminate custodial sentences for serious offences), a period equal to the period specified pursuant to Article 13(3)(b) of that Order less any relevant discount;

(e)

where Article 14(3) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (extended custodial sentences for certain offences where the offender is aged over 21) applies in relation to the custodial sentence, a period equal to half of the term imposed pursuant to Article 14(3)(a) of that Order calculated after that term has been reduced by any relevant discount;

(f)

where Article 14(5) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (extended custodial sentences for certain offences where the offender is aged under 21) applies in relation to the custodial sentence, a period equal to half of the term imposed pursuant to Article 14(5)(a) of that Order calculated after that term has been reduced by any relevant discount;

(g)

in any other case, a period equal to half the custodial sentence imposed calculated after that sentence has been reduced by any relevant discount.

(5)

If a period determined under paragraph (4) includes a fraction of a day, that period is to be rounded up to the nearest number of whole days.

(6)

The “relevant discount” is the number of days by which the custodial sentence is treated as reduced by virtue of section 26(2) of the Treatment of Offenders Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 (c. 29)
(periods in custody before sentence passed etc).

(7)

This Article does not apply where—

(a)

the custodial sentence was a suspended sentence, or

(b)

the court has made an order under Article 5(3) of the Life Sentences (Northern Ireland) Order 2001 (life sentence: no early release) in relation to the custodial sentence.

(8)

Paragraph (9) applies where an amending order provides that the proportion of a prisoner’s sentence referred to in Article 18(2)(b) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (duty to release prisoners serving extended custodial sentences) is to be read as a reference to another proportion (“the new proportion”).

(9)

The F2Department of Justicemay by order provide that the proportion specified in paragraph (4)(e) and (f) of this Article is to be read, in the case of a custodial sentence to which the amending order applies, as a reference to the new proportion.

(10)

An order under paragraph (9) is subject to F3negative resolution.

(11)

In this Article—

amending order” means an order under Article 18(9) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (alteration by order of relevant part of sentence);

custodial sentence” has the meaning given by Article 4 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008;

suspended sentence” means a suspended sentence or order for detention under section 18 of the Treatment of Offenders Act (Northern Ireland) 1968.

Effect of custodial sentence in other cases40B

(1)

This Article applies where a person is convicted of an offence for which a court proposes to order the person to be disqualified under Article 35 or 40 and—

(a)

the court proposes to impose on the person a custodial sentence (other than a suspended sentence) for another offence, or

(b)

at the time of sentencing for the offence, a custodial sentence imposed on the person on an earlier occasion has not expired.

(2)

In determining the period for which the person is to be disqualified under Article 35 or 40, the court must have regard to the consideration in paragraph (3) if and to the extent that it is appropriate to do so.

(3)

The consideration is the diminished effect of disqualification as a distinct punishment if the person who is disqualified is also detained in pursuance of a custodial sentence.

(4)

If the court proposes to order the person to be disqualified under Article 35 or 40 and to impose a custodial sentence for the same offence, the court may not in relation to that disqualification take that custodial sentence into account for the purposes of paragraph (2).

(5)

In this Article “custodial sentence” and “suspended sentence” have the same meaning as in Article 40A.”

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

F45

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1216 (N.I. 1))

6

After Article 91 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 insert—

“Extension of disqualification where custodial sentence also imposed91A

(1)

This Article applies where a person is convicted of an offence for which the court—

(a)

imposes a custodial sentence, and

(b)

orders the person to be disqualified under Article 91 for holding or obtaining a driving licence.

(2)

The order under Article 91 must provide for the person to be disqualified for the appropriate extension period, in addition to the discretionary disqualification period.

(3)

The discretionary disqualification period is the period for which, in the absence of this Article, the court would have disqualified the person under Article 91.

(4)

The appropriate extension period is—

(a)

where a court imposes a sentence under Article 45(2) of the Criminal Justice (Children)
(Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (S.I. 1998/1504 (N.I. 9))
(punishment of grave crimes: indeterminate sentences), a period equal to the period specified in the sentence under Article 45(2) of that Order less any relevant discount;

(b)

where an order under Article 5(1) of the Life Sentences (Northern Ireland) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2564 (N.I. 2))
(determination of tariffs) is made in relation to the custodial sentence, a period equal to the part of the sentence specified in that order less any relevant discount;

(c)

where Article 8(1)
(sentence for a determinate term) applies in relation to the custodial sentence, a period equal to the custodial period specified pursuant to Article 8(2) less any relevant discount;

(d)

where a court imposes a sentence under Article 13(3)
(indeterminate custodial sentences for serious offences), a period equal to the period specified pursuant to Article 13(3)(b) less any relevant discount;

(e)

where Article 14(3)
(extended custodial sentences for certain offences where the offender is aged over 21) applies in relation to the custodial sentence, a period equal to half of the term imposed pursuant to Article 14(3)(a) calculated after that term has been reduced by any relevant discount;

(f)

where Article 14(5)
(extended custodial sentences for certain offences where the offender is aged under 21) applies in relation to the custodial sentence, a period equal to half of the term imposed pursuant to Article 14(5)(a) calculated after that term has been reduced by any relevant discount;

(g)

in any other case, a period equal to half the custodial sentence imposed calculated after that sentence has been reduced by any relevant discount.

(5)

If a period determined under paragraph (4) includes a fraction of a day, that period is to be rounded up to the nearest number of whole days.

(6)

The “relevant discount” is the number of days by which the custodial sentence is treated as reduced by virtue of section 26(2) of the Treatment of Offenders Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 (c. 29)
(periods in custody before sentence passed etc).

(7)

This Article does not apply where—

(a)

the custodial sentence was a suspended sentence, or

(b)

the court has made an order under Article 5(3) of the Life Sentences (Northern Ireland) Order 2001 (life sentence: no early release) in relation to the custodial sentence.

(8)

Paragraph (9) applies where an amending order provides that the proportion of a prisoner’s sentence referred to in Article 18(2)(b)
(duty to release prisoners serving extended custodial sentences) is to be read as a reference to another proportion (“the new proportion”).

(9)

The Secretary of State may by order provide that the proportion specified in paragraph (4)(e) and (f) of this Article is to be read, in the case of a custodial sentence to which the amending order applies, as a reference to the new proportion.

(10)

In this Article—

amending order” means an order under Article 18(9)
(alteration by order of relevant part of sentence);

custodial sentence” has the meaning given by Article 4;

driving licence” has the meaning given by Article 91;

suspended sentence” means a suspended sentence or order for detention under section 18 of the Treatment of Offenders Act (Northern Ireland) 1968.

Effect of custodial sentence in other cases91B

(1)

This Article applies where a person is convicted of an offence for which a court proposes to order the person to be disqualified under Article 91 for holding or obtaining a driving licence and—

(a)

the court proposes to impose on the person a custodial sentence (other than a suspended sentence) for another offence, or

(b)

at the time of sentencing for the offence, a custodial sentence imposed on the person on an earlier occasion has not expired.

(2)

In determining the period for which the person is to be disqualified under Article 91, the court must have regard to the consideration in paragraph (3) if and to the extent that it is appropriate to do so.

(3)

The consideration is the diminished effect of disqualification as a distinct punishment if the person who is disqualified is also detained in pursuance of a custodial sentence.

(4)

If the court proposes to order the person to be disqualified under Article 91 and to impose a custodial sentence for the same offence, the court may not in relation to that disqualification take that custodial sentence into account for the purposes of paragraph (2).

(5)

In this Article “custodial sentence” and “suspended sentence” have the same meaning as in Article 91A.”