Sentencer Information
In this section, we publish information of use to serving magistrates and judges within South Yorkshire.
We work closely with Her Majesty's Courts Service, the judiciary, and magistrates' representatives on a joint communications strategy to keep sentencers informed about our work. We will be adding more information specific to sentencers on this page over the next few months. You will also find relevant information on our publications page, including Probation News, our sentencer newsletter.
Probation Bench Guide
left click here to open or right click to save a copy
This guide is designed to give magistrates summary information about the services offered by the National Probation Service (NPS), in relation to the sentences available under the Criminal Justice Act 2003. It does not, however, cover provision for the under 18s.
This guide does not purport to be an authoritative guide to the law but represents the views of the National Probation Directorate and NOMS. It does not seek to replace detailed guidance from the Sentencing Guidelines Council (SGC) and your legal adviser.
All magistrates should have received their own personal copy of the Bench Guide. Please contact your legal adviser if you do not have a copy.
Probation Bench Handbook
left click here to open or right click to save a copy
The information in this publication draws upon material prepared by the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) at the Ministry of Justice to help probation staff implement the sentencing framework introduced through the Criminal Justice Act 2003. It is consistent with guidance from the Sentencing Guidelines Council. In some instances it sets out the views of NOMS as to the interpretation of the Act.
NOMS wishes to make clear that this publication is intended solely to inform and assist. It is not intended to constrain or in any other way interfere with the independence of those members of the judiciary who, it is hoped, will find it a useful reference work.
Magistrates' Bus Tours
Each year we hold a number of all day tours covering the work of South Yorkshire Probation and sentencing options to reduce re-offending. The day includes talks with offender managers (probation officers), visits to unpaid work projects, lunch at one of our lunch clubs, a tour of our accredited programmes division and a visit to an Approved Premises.
The tours are open to all serving magistrates, particularly those who are new to the bench. We will post details of upcoming events as they are available.
Sentencer Seminars
Each year we hold a seminar for each South Yorkshire bench. They are usually in the afternoon or early evening (refreshments provided). They are your chance to meet and talk with our local court team and manager, the local divisional manager, and senior managers including our Chief Officer Roz Brown. The next seminar is:
Rotherham
3 December 2008, (times TBC), (venue to be confirmed)
Sentencer Conference
Every two years, we hold a large (200 delegate) all-day conference for magistrates in South Yorkshire. We organise this jointly with the Magistrates' Association. The event attracts high-profile speakers (such as the attorney general in 2007) and is a fantastic learning opportunity for all those who attend.
The next conference will be on Friday, 6 February 2009 and we will publish more details as they become available.