See Full Document Text
Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This
item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS
2025 No. 1071
CRIMINAL LAW, ENGLAND AND WALES
The Sentencing Act 2020 (Amendment
of Schedule 21) Regulations 2025
Made - - - - 2nd October 2025
Coming into force - - 23rd October 2025
The Lord Chancellor makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by paragraph
19(1) of Schedule 23 to the Sentencing Act 2020 (“the Act”)(1).
The Lord Chancellor has consulted the Sentencing Council for England and Wales in accordance
with paragraph 19(2) of Schedule 23 to the Act.
In accordance with section 407(7) of, and paragraph 19(4) of Schedule 23 to, the Act, a draft of
these Regulations has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.
Citation, commencement and extent
1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Sentencing Act 2020 (Amendment of Schedule 21)
Regulations 2025.
(2) These Regulations come into force 21 days after the day on which they are made.
(3) These Regulations extend to England and Wales only.
Amendment of Schedule 21 to the Sentencing Code
2.—(1) Schedule 21 to the Sentencing Code(2) (determination of minimum term in relation to
mandatory life sentence for murder etc.) is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph 9—
(a) after sub-paragraph (ba), insert—
“(bb) where the offence was committed on or after the day on which the Sentencing
Act 2020 (Amendment of Schedule 21) Regulations 2025 came into force, the
fact that the murder was connected with—
(i)the end of the offender’s intimate personal relationship with the victim,
(1) 2020 c. 17.
(2) For the meaning of “Sentencing Code”, see section 1 of the Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17).Document Generated: 2025-10-23
Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This
item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
(ii)the victim intending to bring about the end of that intimate personal
relationship, or
(iii)a belief by the offender as to a thing mentioned in sub-paragraph (i) or (ii),”;
(b) after sub-paragraph (c), insert—
“(ca) where the offence was committed on or after the day on which the Sentencing
Act 2020 (Amendment of Schedule 21) Regulations 2025 came into force, the
fact that the murder involved strangulation, suffocation or asphyxiation,”.
David Lammy
Lord Chancellor
2nd October 2025 Ministry of Justice
2Document Generated: 2025-10-23
Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This
item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend paragraph 9 of Schedule 21 to the Sentencing Code. They create two
additional statutory aggravating factors in the determination of the minimum term in relation to
mandatory life sentences for murder.
The new aggravating factors apply where: (1) the murder was connected with the end of the
offender’s intimate personal relationship with the victim, the victim intending to bring about the end
of that intimate personal relationship, or a belief by the offender in those things; and (2) the murder
involves strangulation, suffocation or asphyxiation.
These new aggravating factors only apply to offences committed on or after the day on which these
Regulations come into force.
A full impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business and the
voluntary sector and community bodies is available from www.legislation.gov.uk.
3