Part 4Sentencing
Chapter 1Sentencing Council for England and Wales
Other functions of the Council
128Monitoring
1
The Council must—
a
monitor the operation and effect of its sentencing guidelines, and
b
consider what conclusions can be drawn from the information obtained by virtue of paragraph (a).
2
The Council must, in particular, discharge its duty under subsection (1)(a) with a view to drawing conclusions about—
a
the frequency with which, and extent to which, courts depart from sentencing guidelines;
b
the factors which influence the sentences imposed by courts;
c
the effect of the guidelines on the promotion of consistency in sentencing;
d
the effect of the guidelines on the promotion of public confidence in the criminal justice system.
3
When reporting on the exercise of its functions under this section in its annual report for a financial year, the Council must include—
a
a summary of the information obtained under subsection (1)(a), and
b
a report of any conclusions drawn by the Council under subsection (1)(b).