David Miers considers a new approach to compensation orders in light of the Sentencing Act 2020
- The Sentencing Act 2020 has consolidated the powers and duties contained in the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000, governing the imposition on convicted offenders of compensation orders to be paid to their victims.
- Practitioners and, in particular, magistrates, should find the provisions regarding the making of compensation orders easier than was the case previously.
Sections 55 and 133-145 of the Sentencing Act 2020 (SA 2020) consolidate with minor amendments the powers and duties contained in sections 130-134 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (PCC(S)A 2000), governing the imposition on convicted offenders of compensation orders to be paid to their victims (by SA 2020, s 2(1), anyone convicted of an offence on or after 1 December 2020 will be sentenced under the Sentencing Code, regardless of when they committed their offence). This article summarises the effect of the consolidation on the current law, with particular reference to offences causing personal injury.
The sentencing court’s duties
PCC(S)A
