- Latest available (Revised)
- Original (As enacted)
Sentencing Act 2026
You are here:
What Version
Advanced Features
- Show Geographical Extent(e.g. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland)
- Show Timeline of Changes
Opening Options
More Resources
Status:
This version of this provision is prospective.
Status
The term provision is used to describe a definable element in a piece of legislation that has legislative effect – such as a Part, Chapter or section. A version of a provision is prospective either:
- where the provision (Part, Chapter or section) has never come into force or;
- where the text of the provision is subject to change, but no date has yet been appointed by the appropriate person or body for those changes to come into force.
Commencement Orders listed in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ box as not yet applied may bring this prospective version into force.
Changes to legislation:
Sentencing Act 2026, Section 43 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 11 March 2026. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes to Legislation
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Prospective
43Powers of High Court on referralE+W
(1)Section 32ZAC of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 (powers of the High Court on referral of release decision) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) to (4).
(2)In subsection (1), after “section 32ZAA,” insert “and unless subsection (2B) applies on the referral,”.
(3)After subsection (2) insert—
“(2A)Subsection (2B) applies on a referral of a prisoner’s case under section 32ZAA if, by virtue of section 31A(4F)(a), the Parole Board has directed the Secretary of State to release the prisoner unconditionally.
(2B)The High Court—
(a)must, if satisfied that it is no longer necessary for the protection of the public that the prisoner should be confined, make an order requiring the Secretary of State to give effect to the Parole Board’s direction to release the prisoner unconditionally;
(b)otherwise, must make an order quashing the Parole Board’s direction to release the prisoner unconditionally.”
(4)In subsection (3), after “(1)(b)” insert “or (2B)(b)”.
(5)Section 32ZB of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 (release at direction of Parole Board: timing) is amended in accordance with subsections (6) and (7).
(6)In subsection (1), after “32ZAC(1)(a)” insert “or (2B)(a)”.
(7)In subsection (2), after “the need” insert “where the life prisoner is to be released on licence”.
(8)The amendments made by this section do not affect the duty of the Secretary of State to release a prisoner whose release has been directed by the Parole Board before this section comes into force.
Commencement Information
I1S. 43 in force at 22.3.2026, see s. 49(4)
Options/Help
Print Options
PrintThe Whole Act
PrintThe Whole Part
PrintThe Whole Cross Heading
PrintThis Section only
Legislation is available in different versions:
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
See additional information alongside the content
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Opening Options
Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once
More Resources
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
- the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
- lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
- confers power and blanket amendment details
- all formats of all associated documents
- correction slips
- links to related legislation and further information resources
Impact Assessments
Impact Assessments generally accompany all UK Government interventions of a regulatory nature that affect the private sector, civil society organisations and public services. They apply regardless of whether the regulation originates from a domestic or international source and can accompany primary (Acts etc) and secondary legislation (SIs). An Impact Assessment allows those with an interest in the policy area to understand:
- Why the government is proposing to intervene;
- The main options the government is considering, and which one is preferred;
- How and to what extent new policies may impact on them; and,
- The estimated costs and benefits of proposed measures.
Timeline of Changes
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
More Resources
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
- the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
- correction slips
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:
- lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
- confers power and blanket amendment details
- all formats of all associated documents
- links to related legislation and further information resources
All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. This site additionally contains content derived from EUR-Lex, reused under the terms of the Commission Decision 2011/833/EU on the reuse of documents from the EU institutions. For more information see the EUR-Lex public statement on re-use.