Victims and bereaved families will get longer to challenge sentences they don't feel fit the crime they've suffered
Victims and bereaved families will have longer than ever to challenge sentences they don’t feel fit the crime they’ve suffered as the Government reforms the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme (9 April 2026).
Listening to courageous campaigners such as Tracey Hanson and Katie Brett, who both lost loved ones to horrific murder, the Government has today confirmed victims and their bereaved families will have up to six months to ask for a sentence to be reconsidered - rather than being strictly limited to 28 days.
This important change is in recognition of the fact that, in the immediate aftermath of a heinous crime that has upended their lives, grieving families and traumatised victims cannot also be expected to engage with the justice system again in such a short period of time.
The Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme allows any member of the public to refer a sentence to the Attorney General and the Solicitor General – the Government’s senior legal advisers - if they believe it is too lenient. They can then request the Court of Appeal reviews the sentence – a vital safeguard to help ensure sentences reflect the seriousness of the offence.
Ensuring that no one is left in the dark about their rights, the Government will also be introducing a legal duty in the Victims’ Code to notify survivors of the existence of the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy said:
The Victims and Courts Bill will also extend the time limit the Attorney General and Solicitor General have to review a sentence, allowing an additional 14 days if the case is submitted two weeks before the limit. This ensures sufficient time for each case to be reviewed thoroughly and for the most appropriate decision to be made.
This is the latest in the Government’s Plan for Change to ensure fairer justice through the Victims and Courts Bill – using victims’ voices as the driving force for change. The Bill also introduced stern sanctions for non-attendance at sentencing hearings in the Crown Court, making clear to cowardly criminals that facing justice will never be optional.
Minister for victims and tackling VAWG Alex Davies-Jones said:
Solicitor General Ellie Reeves KC MP said:
The Victims’ Commissioner, Claire Waxman, said:
Tracey Hanson said:
Katie Brett said:
This comes alongside a whole host of measures the government has introduced to support victims and ensure they get the fast and fair justice they deserve. This includes:
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