Sentencing procedure in the magistrates’ and Crown Courts

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis
Produced in partnership with Angharad Hughes of Howard Kennedy LLP and Will Glover of Fieldfisher
Practice notes

Sentencing procedure in the magistrates’ and Crown Courts

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis

Produced in partnership with Angharad Hughes of Howard Kennedy LLP and Will Glover of Fieldfisher

Practice notes
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This PrACTice Note explains sentencing procedure in the magistrates’ court and Crown Court in accordance with the Sentencing Act 2020 (SA 2020) (Sentencing Code).

Will I be sentenced in the magistrates’ or Crown Court?

All criminal cases start in a magistrates’ court, however, only summary-only or either-way offences can be sentenced there. For more information on Allocation and sending, see Practice Notes:

  1. •

    Allocation and sending for trial—sending of cases forthwith to the Crown Court for trial, and

  2. •

    Allocation and sending—either-way offences not sent forthwith to the Crown Court for trial

If a conviction takes place in the magistrates’ court, the magistrates or district judge will impose a sentence which is within the general limit available in a magistrates’ court. See Practice Note: Sentences imposed following conviction—General limits on magistrates’ courts powers to impose custodial sentences following conviction.

Where the sentence to be imposed is in excess of the magistrates’ courts powers, the matter will be committed to the Crown Court for sentence. For detailed

Angharad Hughes
Angharad Hughes

Barrister, Howard Kennedy LLP

Angharad Hughes is a barrister at Howard Kennedy LLP. She came to the firm with experience of a flourishing criminal defence practice from a leading criminal set. Angharad’s instructions cover a wide range of matters including violent crime, dishonesty, confiscation, weapons, drugs, road traffic and public order offences. She also has experience in bringing private prosecutions on behalf of corporate entities.

She now specialises in financial and complex crime, civil recovery and fraud. She is known for her ability to quickly and competently grasp central issues.

She is also the founder of Griffin-LAW, a pro-bono project advancing social mobility at the Bar.

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Will Glover
Will Glover

Director, Fieldfisher

William acts for individuals and corporates on all aspects of criminal litigation, including proceeds of crime. He also advises on related compliance issues and procedures in addition to conducting investigations on behalf of businesses with concerns in respect of possible criminality.

He is currently recognized by the Legal 500 in Fraud: White-Collar Crime (Advice to Individuals) in addition to Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime (Advice to Corporates).

His significant recent work includes acting for corporates and individuals on serious fraud and corruption matters.

He has advised a number of corporate entities on dealing with voluntary and compulsory requests from the authorities. He is also experienced in representing individuals in general crime and extradition matters.

William joined Fieldfisher after several years at the Criminal Bar in London where he often acted for individuals in serious fraud matters at the specialist fraud court; Southwark Crown Court. While at the Bar in London, he also spent time seconded to the Serious Fraud Office.

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Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
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Key definition:
ACT definition
What does ACT mean?

Association of Corporate Treasurers.

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