Revised sentencing guidelines for terrorism offences come into effect on 1 October 2022

Revised sentencing guidelines for terrorism offences in England and Wales will come into effect on 1 October 2022.

The new guidelines reflect changes brought in by the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 and the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021.

Revisions to the Preparation of terrorist acts and Explosive substances (terrorism only) guidelines include:

• new guidance for judges sentencing offenders who meet the criteria for a ‘serious terrorism sentence’. This is a new type of sentence that carries a minimum penalty of 14 years’ custody unless exceptional circumstances apply; and
• new guidance and principles for judges to follow when considering whether there may be exceptional circumstances that justify a departure from that sentence.

The guidelines that have been revised (all external links) are:

• Collection of terrorist information
• Encouragement of terrorism
• Explosive substances (terrorism only)
• Failure to disclose information about acts of terrorism
• Funding terrorism
• Preparation of terrorist acts
• Proscribed organisations – membership
• Proscribed organisations – support