Bar Council responds to the government's plans on retrospective sentencing changes
Chair of the Bar Council responds to the government's plans on retrospective sentencing changes.
Responding to the Lord Chancellor's announcement that the government will bring in emergency legislation to prevent terrorist offenders being released early from prison, which will apply retrospectively to serving prisoners, Amanda Pinto QC, Chair of the Bar Council, said:
“In light of this announcement, we would urge the government to take care in considering any sentencing changes that may apply retrospectively. Sentencing is a complex exercise, requiring consideration of a range of factors, including the need to express clearly and publicly the nature of the penalty which is being imposed, which we note was done in this case. It is important that any proposed reform which could retrospectively alter the punishment for an offence, should be the subject of careful consideration, to ensure that it complies with the rule of law.