http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/17/section/98Sentencing Act 2020An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to sentencing.texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-10-05Expert Participation2026-10-05 THIRD GROUP OF PARTSDisposalsPART 6Orders relating to conductCHAPTER 1Referral orders for offenders aged under 18<Emphasis>Youth offender contracts</Emphasis>Failure to agree youth offender contract981This section applies to—athe first meeting of a youth offender panel established for an offender, andbany further meeting of the panel held under subsection (2)(b).2The panel may—aend the meeting without having reached agreement with the offender on an appropriate programme of behaviour, andbresume consideration of the offender's case at a further meeting of the panel.3But if, at the meeting, it appears to the panel that there is no prospect of reaching an agreement with the offender on an appropriate programme of behaviour within a reasonable period after the making of the referral order (or orders), the panel—amay not consider the case at a further meeting under subsection (2)(b), andbmust instead refer the offender back to court.4If, at the meeting, the panel and the offender reach agreement on an appropriate programme of behaviour, but—athe offender does not sign the record produced under section 96(4)(b), andbthe offender's failure to do so appears to the panel to be unreasonable,the panel must end the meeting and refer the offender back to court.5In this section, “appropriate programme of behaviour” means a programme of behaviour of the kind mentioned in section 96(2).S. 98 in force at 1.12.2020 by S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2