Sentencing After a Guilty Plea Committee

The Sentencing After a Guilty Plea Working Group Committee will support the Council in its preparation of a sentencing guideline on the application of section 196 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, which requires courts, when sentencing, to take into account a plea of guilty if tendered. 

The Committee will oversee all aspects of the development of the guideline until submission to the High Court and will give consideration thereafter to ongoing monitoring of the guideline. In terms of the Council’s standing orders the Council will specify the expected lifetime of the committee. This may be reviewed and, if appropriate, amended by the Council during the committee’s lifetime. The Committee’s work will include, in particular: 

• making recommendations to the Council as to the scope, content, and approach of the guideline
• identifying knowledge and information gaps relevant to the development of the guideline, submitting any proposals for research to the Research Committee
• reviewing draft guidelines prepared by the secretariat, providing advice and direction as required while having regard to any guideline methodology and drafting style agreed by the Council
• supporting engagement with relevant stakeholders at all stages of the guideline development process
• overseeing the judicial and public consultation process, including the preparation of consultation documents and impact assessments

The Committee will report regularly to the Council on the progress of guideline development, making recommendations and, where appropriate, referring significant or potentially controversial decisions to the Council.