http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2026/2/section/6Sentencing Act 2026enStatute Law Database2026-06-01Expert Participation2026-06-01 Part 1SentencingFinding of domestic abuseFinding of domestic abuse 6 1 In Part 3 of the Sentencing Code (sentencing procedure), after Chapter 5 insert— Chapter 6 Finding of domestic abuse Finding of domestic abuse 56A 1 This section applies if— a a court is passing sentence for an offence, and b the court is of the view that the offence involved domestic abuse carried out by the offender. 2 The court must, in open court, state that in its view the offence involved domestic abuse carried out by the offender. 3 This section is without prejudice to any duty imposed on the court by section 59 or 60 to follow sentencing guidelines in dealing with the offender for the offence. 4 In this section “domestic abuse” has the same meaning as in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (see sections 1 and 2 of that Act). 2 In the Armed Forces Act 2006, after section 253 insert— Finding of domestic abuse Finding of domestic abuse 253A 1 This section applies if— a a court or officer is passing sentence for a service offence, and b the court or officer is of the view that the offence involved domestic abuse carried out by the offender. 2 The court or officer must, in open court, state that in the court’s or officer’s view the offence involved domestic abuse carried out by the offender. 3 In its application to a court, this section is without prejudice to any duty imposed on the court by section 259 to have regard to guidelines in dealing with the offender for the offence. 4 In this section— “domestic abuse” has the same meaning as in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (see sections 1 and 2 of that Act); “sentence” includes any order made when dealing with the offender in respect of an offence. S. 6 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 49(1)