Discretionary Life Sentences – Setting the minimum term – ½ or 2/3 of the notional determinate sentence – Doughty Street Chambers
‘James Wood QC discusses recent sentence appeals on minimum terms in discretionary life sentences. He assesses the likely impact of the recent statutory changes increasing the minimum term to be served by some prisoners serving determinate sentences from ½ to 2/3. He identifies prosecutorial appeals to increase minimum terms in discretionary life sentences by the Attorney General, and warns that the judicial and statutory drift appears to be towards a similar lengthening from ½ to 2/3 of the minimum term to be served by those sentenced to discretionary life sentences on grounds of dangerousness.’
Doughty Street Chambers, 24th February 2021
Source: insights.doughtystreet.co.uk
