In this letter, to Sentencing Council Chair Rt Hon Lord Justice William Davis, the Lord Chancellor acknowledges the Council’s plans to publish new Imposition of Community and Custodial Sentence Guidelines.

The letter reiterates the government’s objections to the guidelines, specifically that it introduces ‘differential treatment’ in court on the basis of race or ethnicity – and notes the risk this would have on public confidence in the justice system.

The Lord Chancellor also raises concerns about the fact the current government was not consulted on the introduction of the guidelines, and sets out her position that matters of policy should be decided by Parliament and Ministers.