Sentencing Council for England and Wales An independent, non-departmental public body created in 2010 with the primary role of issuing sentencing guidelines. The courts are required to follow these guidelines unless it is in the interests of justice to depart from them. The Council is accountable to Parliament for delivering its statutory obligations, which are set out in the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. Its other responsibilities include assessing the impact of the guidelines on sentencing practice and promoting public awareness of sentencing. There are 14 members of the Council, including both judicial and non-judicial appointments. https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/ • Website of the Sentencing Council |