Unduly lenient sentences

Grade 4 prosecutors are to be allowed to conduct appeals into unduly lenient sentences (ULS), currently the preserve of Treasury Counsel, the Attorney General has announced. A six-month pilot programme will begin this month. Attorney General Jeremy Wright QC MP says: “This trial extension is a great opportunity for experienced lawyers to develop their skills further while preserving the continued effective operation of the ULS scheme.” ULS casework has increased by 83% since 2010, up from 342 sentences to 674 in 2014.