The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland has published new sentencing guidelines covering a range of common offences, including assault, theft, and drug-related crimes. The guidelines are intended to promote greater consistency in sentencing across Northern Ireland’s courts.
Purpose of the Guidelines
The new guidelines establish starting points and sentencing ranges for specific offence categories, while preserving judicial discretion to account for individual case circumstances. They follow a comprehensive review of sentencing practice in Northern Ireland.
Key Changes
- Clearer categorisation of offence seriousness based on harm and culpability
- Updated starting points for common assault and actual bodily harm offences
- Revised approach to aggravating and mitigating factors
- Specific guidance on the use of community-based sentences as alternatives to custody
Implications for Defence Solicitors
Criminal defence solicitors across Northern Ireland will need to familiarise themselves with the new frameworks. The guidelines provide a structured basis for submissions on sentence and may influence plea decisions in certain cases.
The guidelines come into effect for all cases sentenced from 1 March 2026 onwards.