Approved guidelines
Rape of a young child offences
Approved by the High Court of Justiciary on Wednesday 3 December 2025.
These guidelines apply to all offenders who are convicted of an offence of rape or rape of a young child on or after Tuesday 3 March 2026.
Further information about these guidelines is available here
Statutory offences of causing death by driving
Approved by the High Court of Justiciary on Tuesday 31 October 2023.
This guideline applies to all offenders who are convicted of a statutory offence of causing death by driving and are sentenced on or after Tuesday 16 January 2024.
Further information about this guideline is available here.
Approved by the High Court of Justiciary on Tuesday 9 November 2021.
This guideline applies from Wednesday 26 January 2022 to the sentencing of those who are under the age of 25 at the date of their plea of guilty or when a finding of guilt is made against them.
Further information about this guideline is available here.
Principles and purposes of sentencing
Approved by the High Court of Justiciary on Tuesday 30 October 2018.
This guideline applies to all offenders who are sentenced on or after Monday 26 November 2018.
Further information about this guideline is available here.