Draft Sentencing Guidelines on Assault
18 November 2010
On Tuesday 23 November the Justice Committee will hold its first evidence session in its inquiry into the Draft Sentencing Guidelines on Assault when evidence will be heard from:
- Mr John Thornhill, Chairman, Magistrates’ Association;
- Ms Diana Barran, Chief Executive, Coordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse; and
- Mr Javed Khan, Chief Executive, Victim Support.
The session will take place in Committee Room 20 at 11.15am
Further Information
The Sentencing Council produced the draft assault guideline for consultation on 13 October 2010.
As the Sentencing Council has a statutory duty to consult the Justice Committee the Committee agreed to hold two evidence sessions and invited written evidence on the issues set out below:
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the existing guideline?
- Is the simpler structure for the guidelines designed to make them more accessible to the public appropriate?
- Is the movement from an offender-based to an offence-based starting point helpful?
- Does the guideline strike the right balance between harm and culpability?
- What is the likely impact of the guidelines on victims and the reduction of re-offending?
The session will address the issues above and the Committee aims to respond to the Council's consultation prior to its deadline of 5 January 2011.
The session will be open to the public on a first come, first served basis as seating is limited and there is no system of tickets or advance booking. Visitors who wish to attend the session should enter via the Cromwell Green entrance (next to St Stephen’s entrance), House of Commons.
Please advise security staff that you are attending a committee meeting and they will direct you. You should allow at least 20 minutes to go through security.