Scottish Sentencing Council gears up for launch with new website

A website for the Scottish Sentencing Council has been launched, providing background information on the new body ahead of its establishment in October.

The first phase of the site, at www.scottishsentencingcouncil.org.uk, will enable visitors to keep up to date with plans for the Council's creation. The second phase will be completed when the Council is formally opened.

Feedback on the new website is welcomed.

The Council's objectives are to promote consistency and transparency in sentencing practice, assist in developing sentencing policy and encourage better understanding of sentences across Scotland. It will also be responsible for producing sentencing guidelines for the judiciary, subject to approval by the High Court. 

Recruitment to the Council will take place over the summer. The Lord Justice Clerk will be the statutory chair, and will be joined by five other judicial members, three legal members – a prosecutor, an advocate and a solicitor – and three lay members, including a constable and a victims’ expert. The lay members will be appointed by ministers. It is intended to announce the full details of the recruitment process by 17 July.

Administrative support and staff will be provided by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service.