OpenLegislation

Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015

2015 c. 2 · Enacted 12 February 2015 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 4 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 1 September 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 17omittedPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 Sch. 11 para. 37
s. 18omittedPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 Sch. 11 para. 37
Sch. 1 para. 7(3)omittedSentencing Act 2026 s. 26(6)(b)
s. 52omittedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 47(2)(f)
An Act to make provision about how offenders are dealt with before and after conviction; to create offences involving ill-treatment or wilful neglect by a person providing health care or social care; to create an offence of the corrupt or other improper exercise of police powers and privileges; to make provision about offences committed by disqualified drivers; to create an offence of disclosing private sexual photographs or films with intent to cause distress; to amend the offence of meeting a child following sexual grooming; to amend the offence of possession of extreme pornographic images; to make provision about the proceedings and powers of courts and tribunals; to make provision about judicial review; and for connected purposes.[12th February 2015]

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Contents

  1. Part 1: Criminal Justice
  2. Dangerous offenders
  3. 1Maximum sentence for certain offences to be life imprisonment
  4. 2Specified offences
  5. 3Schedule 15B offences Repealed
  6. 4Parole Board release when serving extended sentences
  7. 5Minor amendments
  8. Other offenders of particular concern
  9. 6Sentence and Parole Board release for offenders of particular concern
  10. Release and recall of prisoners
  11. 7Electronic monitoring following release on licence etc
  12. 8Recall adjudicators Not yet in force
  13. 9Section 9 Not yet in force
  14. 10Section 10 Not yet in force
  15. 11Initial release and release after recall: life sentences
  16. 12Offence of remaining unlawfully at large after recall
  17. 13Offence of remaining unlawfully at large after temporary release
  18. 14Definition of “requisite custodial period”
  19. 15Minor amendments and transitional cases
  20. Prisons
  21. 16Drugs for which prisoners etc may be tested
  22. Cautions etc
  23. 17Restrictions on use of cautions
  24. 18Restrictions on use of cautions: supplementary
  25. 19Alternatives to prosecution: rehabilitation of offenders in Scotland
  26. Offences involving ill-treatment or wilful neglect
  27. 20Ill-treatment or wilful neglect: care worker offence
  28. 21Ill-treatment or wilful neglect: care provider offence
  29. 22Care provider offence: excluded care providers
  30. 23Care provider offence: penalties
  31. 24Care provider offence: application to unincorporated associations
  32. 25Care provider offence: liability for ancillary and other offences
  33. Offences involving police or prison officers
  34. 26Corrupt or other improper exercise of police powers and privileges
  35. 27Term of imprisonment for murder of police or prison officer Repealed
  36. Repeat offences involving offensive weapons etc
  37. 28Minimum sentence for repeat offences involving offensive weapons etc
  38. Driving offences
  39. 29Offences committed by disqualified drivers
  40. 30Extension of disqualification from driving where custodial sentence also imposed
  41. 31Mutual recognition of driving disqualification in UK and Republic of Ireland
  42. Offences involving intent to cause distress etc
  43. 32Sending letters etc with intent to cause distress or anxiety
  44. 33Disclosing , or threatening to disclose, private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress Repealed
  45. 34Meaning of “disclose” and “photograph or film” Repealed
  46. 35Meaning of “private” and “sexual” Repealed
  47. Offences involving sexual grooming or pornographic images
  48. 36Meeting a child following sexual grooming etc
  49. 37Possession of pornographic images of rape and assault by penetration
  50. Part 2: Young offenders
  51. Detention of young offenders
  52. 38Secure colleges and other places for detention of young offenders etc
  53. 39Contracting out secure colleges
  54. 40Powers of Youth Justice Board in relation to provision of accommodation
  55. Other matters
  56. 41Youth cautions and conditional cautions: involvement of appropriate adults
  57. 42Duties of custody officer after charge: arrested juveniles
  58. 43Referral orders: alternatives to revocation for breach of youth offender contract Repealed
  59. 44Referral orders: extension on further conviction Repealed
  60. 45Referral orders: revocation on further conviction Repealed
  61. Part 3: Courts and tribunals
  62. Trial by single justice on the papers
  63. 46Instituting proceedings by written charge
  64. 47Instituting proceedings: further provision
  65. 48Trial by single justice on the papers
  66. 49Trial by single justice on the papers: sentencing etc
  67. 50Further amendments
  68. Time limit for bringing certain criminal proceedings
  69. 51Offence of improper use of public electronic communications network
  70. Committal to Crown Court
  71. 52Low-value shoplifting: mode of trial
  72. 53Committal of young offenders convicted of certain serious offences Repealed
  73. Costs of criminal courts
  74. 54Criminal courts charge
  75. 55Duty to review criminal courts charge
  76. Collection of fines etc
  77. 56Variation of collection orders etc
  78. Civil proceedings relating to personal injury
  79. 57Personal injury claims: cases of fundamental dishonesty
  80. 58Rules against inducements to make personal injury claims
  81. 59Effect of rules against inducements
  82. 60Inducements: interpretation
  83. 61Inducements: regulations
  84. Appeals in civil proceedings
  85. 62Appeals from the Court of Protection
  86. 63Appeals from the High Court to the Supreme Court
  87. 64Appeals from the Upper Tribunal to the Supreme Court
  88. 65Appeals from the Employment Appeal Tribunal to the Supreme Court
  89. 66Appeals from the Special Immigration Appeals Commission to the Supreme Court
  90. Costs in civil proceedings
  91. 67Wasted costs in certain civil proceedings
  92. Juries and members of the Court Martial
  93. 68Upper age limit for jury service to be 75
  94. 69Jurors and electronic communications devices
  95. 70Jurors and electronic communications devices: powers of search etc
  96. 71Research by jurors
  97. 72Sharing research with other jurors
  98. 73Jurors engaging in other prohibited conduct
  99. 74Disclosing jury's deliberations
  100. 75Juries at inquests
  101. 76Members of the Court Martial
  102. 77Supplementary provision
  103. Reporting restrictions
  104. 78Lifetime reporting restrictions in criminal proceedings for witnesses and victims under 18
  105. 79Reporting restrictions in proceedings other than criminal proceedings
  106. 80Reporting restrictions: information society services
  107. Other matters
  108. 81Representations to Parliament by the President of the Supreme Court
  109. 82The supplementary panel of the Supreme Court
  110. 83Minor amendments
  111. Part 4: Judicial review
  112. Judicial review in the High Court and Upper Tribunal
  113. 84Likelihood of substantially different outcome for applicant
  114. 85Provision of information about financial resources Not yet in force
  115. 86Use of information about financial resources Not yet in force
  116. 87Interveners and costs
  117. 88Capping of costs
  118. 89Capping of costs: orders and their terms
  119. 90Capping of costs: environmental cases
  120. Planning proceedings
  121. 91Procedure for certain planning challenges
  122. 92Periods of time for certain legal challenges
  123. Part 5: Final provisions
  124. 93Power to make consequential and supplementary provision etc
  125. 94Financial provision
  126. 95Commencement
  127. 96Extent
  128. 97Channel Islands, Isle of Man and British overseas territories
  129. 98Short title
  130. Schedule 1: Sentence and Parole Board release for offenders of particular concern
  131. Part 1: Sentence and release
  132. Introduction
  133. 1Paragraph 1
  134. Sentence
  135. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  136. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  137. Offences of particular concern
  138. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  139. Release on licence to be directed by Parole Board
  140. 5Paragraph 5
  141. 6Paragraph 6
  142. 7Paragraph 7
  143. Part 2: Offenders convicted of service offences
  144. Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52)
  145. 8Paragraph 8
  146. Part 3: Transitional and transitory provision
  147. Application of new provisions about special custodial sentences
  148. 9Paragraph 9
  149. Detention in a young offender institution
  150. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  151. Part 4: Consequential provision
  152. Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (c. 53)
  153. 11Paragraph 11
  154. Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 (c. 43)
  155. 12Paragraph 12
  156. Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (c. 6)
  157. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  158. Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44)
  159. 14Paragraph 14
  160. 15Paragraph 15
  161. 16Paragraph 16
  162. 17Paragraph 17
  163. 18Paragraph 18 Repealed
  164. 19Paragraph 19
  165. 20Paragraph 20
  166. 21Paragraph 21
  167. 22Paragraph 22
  168. 23Paragraph 23
  169. 24Paragraph 24 Repealed
  170. Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10)
  171. 25Paragraph 25
  172. Schedule 2: Electronic monitoring and licences etc: consequential provision
  173. Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 (c. 43)
  174. 1Paragraph 1
  175. Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (c. 43)
  176. 2Paragraph 2
  177. Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44)
  178. 3Paragraph 3
  179. 4Paragraph 4
  180. 5Paragraph 5
  181. 6Paragraph 6
  182. Schedule 3: Recall adjudicators: further provision Not yet in force
  183. Mental Health Act 1983 (c. 20) Not yet in force
  184. 1Paragraph 1 Not yet in force
  185. 2Paragraph 2 Not yet in force
  186. 3Paragraph 3 Not yet in force
  187. Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44) Not yet in force
  188. 4Paragraph 4 Not yet in force
  189. 5Paragraph 5 Not yet in force
  190. 6Paragraph 6 Not yet in force
  191. 7Paragraph 7 Not yet in force
  192. 8Paragraph 8 Not yet in force
  193. 9Paragraph 9 Not yet in force
  194. 10Paragraph 10 Not yet in force
  195. 11Paragraph 11 Not yet in force
  196. Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28) Not yet in force
  197. 12Paragraph 12 Not yet in force
  198. Offender Management Act 2007 (c. 21) Not yet in force
  199. 13Paragraph 13 Not yet in force
  200. 14Paragraph 14 Not yet in force
  201. 15Paragraph 15 Not yet in force
  202. Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25) Not yet in force
  203. 16Paragraph 16 Not yet in force
  204. Equality Act 2010 (c. 15) Not yet in force
  205. 17Paragraph 17 Not yet in force
  206. Schedule 4: Ill-treatment or wilful neglect: excluded health care
  207. Excluded health care
  208. 1Paragraph 1
  209. Use “for an education or childcare purpose”
  210. 2Paragraph 2
  211. Educational institutions
  212. 3Paragraph 3
  213. Definitions
  214. 4Paragraph 4
  215. Schedule 5: Minimum sentence for repeat offences involving offensive weapons etc: consequential provision
  216. Mental Health Act 1983 (c. 20)
  217. 1Paragraph 1
  218. Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33)
  219. 2Paragraph 2
  220. Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (c. 6)
  221. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  222. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  223. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  224. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  225. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  226. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  227. Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44)
  228. 9Paragraph 9
  229. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  230. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  231. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  232. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  233. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  234. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  235. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  236. Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25)
  237. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  238. Schedule 6: Offences committed by disqualified drivers: further amendments
  239. Road Traffic Act 1988 (c. 52)
  240. 1Paragraph 1
  241. Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (c. 53)
  242. 2Paragraph 2
  243. 3Paragraph 3
  244. 4Paragraph 4
  245. 5Paragraph 5
  246. 6Paragraph 6
  247. 7Paragraph 7
  248. 8Paragraph 8
  249. 9Paragraph 9
  250. Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 (c. 32)
  251. 10Paragraph 10
  252. Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44)
  253. 11Paragraph 11
  254. Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25)
  255. 12Paragraph 12
  256. Schedule 7: Mutual recognition of driving disqualification in UK and Republic of Ireland
  257. Part 1: Further provision
  258. Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 (c. 32)
  259. 1Paragraph 1
  260. 2Paragraph 2
  261. 3Paragraph 3
  262. 4Paragraph 4
  263. 5Paragraph 5
  264. 6Paragraph 6
  265. 7Paragraph 7
  266. 8Paragraph 8
  267. 9Paragraph 9
  268. 10Paragraph 10
  269. 11Paragraph 11
  270. 12Paragraph 12
  271. 13Paragraph 13
  272. 14Paragraph 14
  273. 15Paragraph 15
  274. 16Paragraph 16
  275. 17Paragraph 17
  276. 18Paragraph 18
  277. 19Paragraph 19
  278. 20Paragraph 20
  279. 21Paragraph 21
  280. Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25)
  281. 22Paragraph 22
  282. Part 2: Transition from EU Convention to new agreement
  283. Transitional period
  284. 23Paragraph 23
  285. Disapplication of duties and powers to give notices during the transitional period
  286. 24Paragraph 24
  287. 25Paragraph 25
  288. Application of duties and powers to give notices after the transitional period
  289. 26Paragraph 26
  290. Saving for pre-1 December 2014 cases
  291. 27Paragraph 27
  292. Schedule 8: Disclosing , or threatening to disclose, private sexual photographs or films: providers of information society services Repealed
  293. England and Wales service providers: extension of liability Repealed
  294. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  295. Non-UK service providers: restriction on institution of proceedings Repealed
  296. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  297. Exceptions for mere conduits Repealed
  298. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  299. Exception for caching Repealed
  300. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  301. Exception for hosting Repealed
  302. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  303. Interpretation Repealed
  304. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  305. Schedule 9: Secure colleges etc: further amendments
  306. Prison Act 1952 (c. 52)
  307. 1Paragraph 1
  308. 2Paragraph 2
  309. 3Paragraph 3
  310. 4Paragraph 4
  311. Criminal Justice Act 1961 (c. 39)
  312. 5Paragraph 5
  313. 6Paragraph 6
  314. 7Paragraph 7
  315. Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48)
  316. 8Paragraph 8
  317. Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60)
  318. 9Paragraph 9
  319. Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56)
  320. 10Paragraph 10
  321. Prisoners (Return to Custody) Act 1995 (c. 16)
  322. 11Paragraph 11
  323. Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (c. 6)
  324. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  325. Children Act 2004 (c. 31)
  326. 13Paragraph 13
  327. 14Paragraph 14
  328. 15Paragraph 15
  329. 16Paragraph 16
  330. 17Paragraph 17
  331. 18Paragraph 18
  332. 19Paragraph 19
  333. 20Paragraph 20
  334. Childcare Act 2006 (c. 21)
  335. 21Paragraph 21
  336. Education and Inspections Act 2006 (c. 40)
  337. 22Paragraph 22
  338. Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 (c. 19)
  339. 23Paragraph 23
  340. Offender Management Act 2007 (c. 21)
  341. 24Paragraph 24
  342. 25Paragraph 25
  343. 26Paragraph 26
  344. Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26)
  345. 27Paragraph 27
  346. Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10)
  347. 28Paragraph 28
  348. 29Paragraph 29
  349. 30Paragraph 30
  350. Prisons (Interference with Wireless Telegraphy) Act 2012 (c. 20)
  351. 31Paragraph 31
  352. Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (anaw 4)
  353. 32Paragraph 32
  354. Schedule 10: Contracting out secure colleges
  355. Part 1: Contracting out provision and running of secure colleges
  356. Power to contract out
  357. 1Paragraph 1
  358. Running a contracted-out secure college
  359. 2Paragraph 2
  360. Leases and tenancies of land
  361. 3Paragraph 3
  362. Principal
  363. 4Paragraph 4
  364. Monitor
  365. 5Paragraph 5
  366. Officers
  367. 6Paragraph 6
  368. Officers who perform custodial duties
  369. 7Paragraph 7
  370. 8Paragraph 8
  371. 9Paragraph 9
  372. 10Paragraph 10
  373. 11Paragraph 11
  374. Intervention by Secretary of State
  375. 12Paragraph 12
  376. Obstruction etc of secure college custody officers
  377. 13Paragraph 13
  378. Assault of secure college custody officers
  379. 14Paragraph 14
  380. Wrongful disclosure of information relating to persons in youth detention accommodation
  381. 15Paragraph 15
  382. Part 2: Certification of secure college custody officers
  383. Meaning of “secure college custody officer”
  384. 16Paragraph 16
  385. Issue of certificate
  386. 17Paragraph 17
  387. Suspension of certificate
  388. 18Paragraph 18
  389. Revocation of certificate
  390. 19Paragraph 19
  391. Part 3: Contracting out functions at directly managed secure colleges
  392. Power to contract out functions at directly managed secure college
  393. 20Paragraph 20
  394. Powers of officers carrying out contracted-out functions
  395. 21Paragraph 21
  396. 22Paragraph 22
  397. Obstruction etc of secure college custody officers
  398. 23Paragraph 23
  399. Assault of secure college custody officers
  400. 24Paragraph 24
  401. Wrongful disclosure of information relating to persons in youth detention accommodation
  402. 25Paragraph 25
  403. Supplementary
  404. 26Paragraph 26
  405. Part 4: Definitions
  406. 27Paragraph 27
  407. Part 5: Further amendments
  408. Prison Act 1952 (c. 52)
  409. 28Paragraph 28
  410. Criminal Justice Act 1967 (c. 80)
  411. 29Paragraph 29
  412. Firearms Act 1968 (c. 27)
  413. 30Paragraph 30
  414. Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33)
  415. 31Paragraph 31
  416. Private Security Industry Act 2001 (c. 12)
  417. 32Paragraph 32
  418. Children Act 2004 (c. 31)
  419. 33Paragraph 33
  420. 34Paragraph 34
  421. 35Paragraph 35
  422. 36Paragraph 36
  423. Offender Management Act 2007 (c. 21)
  424. 37Paragraph 37
  425. Schedule 11: Trial by single justice on the papers: further amendments
  426. Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45)
  427. 1Paragraph 1
  428. Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43)
  429. 2Paragraph 2
  430. 3Paragraph 3
  431. 4Paragraph 4
  432. 5Paragraph 5
  433. 6Paragraph 6
  434. Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (c. 23)
  435. 7Paragraph 7
  436. Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (c. 53)
  437. 8Paragraph 8
  438. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  439. 10Paragraph 10
  440. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  441. Pension Schemes Act 1993 (c. 48)
  442. 12Paragraph 12
  443. Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (c. 22)
  444. 13Paragraph 13
  445. Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c. 33)
  446. 14Paragraph 14
  447. Drug Trafficking Act 1994 (c. 37)
  448. 15Paragraph 15
  449. Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (c. 21)
  450. 16Paragraph 16
  451. Terrorism Act 2000 (c. 11)
  452. 17Paragraph 17
  453. Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c. 29)
  454. 18Paragraph 18
  455. Education Act 2002 (c. 32)
  456. 19Paragraph 19
  457. Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 (c. 32)
  458. 20Paragraph 20
  459. 21Paragraph 21
  460. 22Paragraph 22
  461. Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44)
  462. 23Paragraph 23 Repealed
  463. Schedule 12: Further provision about criminal courts charge
  464. Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (c. 53)
  465. 1Paragraph 1
  466. Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43)
  467. 2Paragraph 2
  468. 3Paragraph 3
  469. 4Paragraph 4
  470. Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (c. 23)
  471. 5Paragraph 5
  472. Insolvency Act 1986 (c. 45)
  473. 6Paragraph 6
  474. Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53)
  475. 7Paragraph 7
  476. Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (c. 6)
  477. 8Paragraph 8
  478. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  479. 10Paragraph 10
  480. Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c. 29)
  481. 11Paragraph 11
  482. Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44)
  483. 12Paragraph 12
  484. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  485. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  486. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  487. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  488. Schedule 13: Juries at inquests
  489. Jurors and electronic communications devices
  490. 1Paragraph 1
  491. 2Paragraph 2
  492. Offences relating to research by jurors etc
  493. 3Paragraph 3
  494. 4Paragraph 4
  495. 5Paragraph 5
  496. Offence relating to jury's deliberations
  497. 6Paragraph 6
  498. Saving for contempt of court
  499. 7Paragraph 7
  500. Schedule 14: Members of the Court Martial
  501. Part 1: Offences
  502. 1Paragraph 1
  503. 2Paragraph 2
  504. 3Paragraph 3
  505. Part 2: Further amendments
  506. 4Paragraph 4
  507. 5Paragraph 5
  508. 6Paragraph 6
  509. 7Paragraph 7
  510. 8Paragraph 8
  511. 9Paragraph 9
  512. Schedule 15: Reporting restrictions: providers of information society services
  513. Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (c. 12)
  514. 1Paragraph 1
  515. Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (c. 23)
  516. 2Paragraph 2
  517. Schedule 16: Procedure for certain planning challenges
  518. Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (c. 8)
  519. 1Paragraph 1
  520. 2Paragraph 2
  521. 3Paragraph 3
  522. 4Paragraph 4
  523. Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (c. 9)
  524. 5Paragraph 5
  525. 6Paragraph 6
  526. Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990 (c. 10)
  527. 7Paragraph 7
  528. Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (c. 5)
  529. 8Paragraph 8