Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021
2021 c. 11An Act to make provision about the sentencing of offenders convicted of terrorism offences, of offences with a terrorist connection or of certain other offences; to make other provision in relation to terrorism; and for connected purposes.
PART 1 Sentencing of terrorist and certain other offenders¶
Offences to be sentenced as terrorist offences¶
I11 Offences aggravated by terrorist connection¶
2 Meaning of “serious terrorism offence”: England and Wales¶
In the Sentencing Code—3 Offences relevant for provisions of this Act relating to Northern Ireland¶
Serious terrorism sentences¶
4 Serious terrorism sentence for adults aged under 21: England and Wales¶
After section 268 of the Sentencing Code insert—5 Serious terrorism sentence for adults aged 21 or over: England and Wales¶
After section 282 of the Sentencing Code insert—6 Serious terrorism sentence: Scotland¶
7 Serious terrorism sentence: Northern Ireland¶
In the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1216 (N.I. 1)), after Article 13 insert—Serious terrorism sentences: supplementary provision¶
8 Reduction in appropriate custodial term for guilty pleas: England and Wales¶
In section 73 of the Sentencing Code (reduction in sentences for guilty pleas), after subsection (2) insert—9 Reduction in appropriate custodial term for guilty pleas: Scotland¶
In section 196 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (sentence following guilty plea), after subsection (1A) insert—10 Reduction in appropriate custodial term for assistance to prosecution: England and Wales¶
In section 74 of the Sentencing Code (reduction in sentence for assistance to prosecution), after subsection (4) insert—Life or indeterminate sentences for serious terrorism offences¶
I211 Minimum term order for serious terrorism offenders: England and Wales¶
In section 323 of the Sentencing Code (minimum term order: other life sentences), after subsection (2) insert—12 Minimum punishment part for serious terrorism offenders: Scotland¶
After section 205ZA of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (inserted by section 6) insert—13 Minimum tariff for serious terrorism offenders given life sentences: Northern Ireland¶
14 Minimum custodial period for serious terrorism offenders given indeterminate custodial sentences: Northern Ireland¶
Extended sentences¶
I315 Additional offences attracting extended sentence: England and Wales¶
I416 Increase in extension period for serious terrorism offenders aged under 18: England and Wales¶
I517 Increase in extension period for adult serious terrorism offenders aged under 21: England and Wales¶
I618 Increase in extension period for serious terrorism offenders aged 21 or over: England and Wales¶
19 Additional terrorism offences attracting extended sentence: Scotland¶
20 Extended custodial sentences for serious terrorism offenders: Northern Ireland¶
Other custodial sentences for terrorist offenders¶
I721 Offences attracting special custodial sentence for offenders of particular concern: England and Wales¶
22 Special custodial sentence for certain terrorist offenders aged under 18 at time of offence: England and Wales¶
23 Terrorism sentence with fixed licence period: Scotland¶
24 Terrorism sentence with fixed licence period: Northern Ireland¶
In the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1216 (N.I. 1)), after Article 15 insert—Sentencing for service offences¶
25 Corresponding provision under service law¶
Schedule 8 makes provision in relation to sentencing under service law that corresponds to certain provision made by this Part.Maximum sentences¶
26 Increase in maximum sentences for certain terrorist offences¶
PART 2 Release of terrorist offenders¶
Removal or restriction of early release for terrorist prisoners¶
27 Removal of early release for dangerous terrorist prisoners: England and Wales¶
28 Removal of early release for dangerous terrorist prisoners: Scotland¶
29 Further provision about release of terrorist prisoners: Scotland¶
After section 26 of the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993 insert—30 Restricted eligibility for early release of terrorist prisoners: Northern Ireland¶
31 Removal of early release for dangerous terrorist prisoners: Northern Ireland¶
In Article 20A of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1216 (N.I. 1)) (as inserted by section 30) (eligibility for release on licence of terrorist prisoners), after paragraph (2) insert—Polygraph conditions in licences for release¶
32 Polygraph licence conditions for terrorist offenders: England and Wales¶
Repatriated terrorist prisoners¶
33 Release on licence of terrorist prisoners repatriated to the United Kingdom¶
Schedule 11 provides for the application of certain provision made by this Part and the Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Act 2020 to terrorist prisoners who are repatriated, or responsibility for whom is transferred, to the United Kingdom.PART 3 Prevention and investigation of terrorism¶
Terrorism prevention and investigation measures¶
34 TPIMs: condition as to involvement in terrorism-related activity¶
In section 3 of the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act 2011 (conditions for imposition of measures), in subsection (1), for “is satisfied, on the balance of probabilities,” substitute “ reasonably believes ”.35 TPIMs: extension of time limit¶
- “TPIM notice” has the meaning given by section 2(1) of the 2011 Act;
- “replacement TPIM notice” and “overturned notice” have the meanings given by section 14(7) of that Act.
36 TPIMs: variation of measures¶
37 TPIMs: extension of residence measure¶
In Schedule 1 to the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act 2011 (measures)—38 TPIMs: polygraph measure¶
39 TPIMs: drug testing measure¶
40 TPIMs: provision of information¶
41 TPIMs: annual review¶
Notification requirements under Part 4 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008¶
42 Additional offences attracting notification requirements¶
In section 41(1) of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 (terrorism offences that attract notification requirements under Part 4 of that Act), after paragraph (e) insert—Serious crime prevention orders¶
43 Police powers to apply for serious crime prevention orders in terrorism cases¶
Schedule 12 amends the Serious Crime Act 2007 to make provision conferring powers on chief officers of police to apply for serious crime prevention orders in terrorism-related cases.44 Serious crime prevention orders: review of operation of police powers¶
“Prevent” strategy¶
45 Persons vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism: timing of independent review¶
PART 4 General¶
I846 Consequential and related amendments¶
Schedule 13 contains consequential and other related amendments.47 Power to state effect in Sentencing Act 2020 of commencement of amendments made by this Act¶
The power in section 419(1) of the Sentencing Act 2020 (power to state effect of commencement provisions) applies in relation to any amendment or repeal made by or under this Act of that Act as it applies in relation to an amendment or repeal made by Schedule 22 to that Act.48 Power to make further consequential provision¶
- “primary legislation” means—
- an Act of Parliament;
- an Act of the Scottish Parliament;
- an Act or Measure of Senedd Cymru;
- Northern Ireland legislation;
- “subordinate legislation” means—
- subordinate legislation within the meaning of the Interpretation Act 1978;
- an instrument made under an Act of the Scottish Parliament;
- an instrument made under an Act or Measure of Senedd Cymru;
- an instrument made under Northern Ireland legislation.
49 Extent¶
50 Commencement¶
51 Short title¶
This Act may be cited as the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021.SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1 ¶
Offences where terrorist connection not required to be considered
Section 1
I9PART 1 England and Wales; service offences¶
This is the Schedule to be inserted as Schedule A1 to the Sentencing Code—
I10PART 2 Scotland and Northern Ireland¶
This is the Schedule to be inserted as Schedule 1A to the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008—
SCHEDULE 2 ¶
Serious terrorism offences: England and Wales
Section 2
This is the Schedule to be inserted as Schedule 17A to the Sentencing Code—
SCHEDULE 3 ¶
Offences for the purposes of this Act: Northern Ireland
Section 3
This is the Schedule to be inserted as Schedule 2A to the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1216 (N.I. 1))—
SCHEDULE 4 ¶
Serious terrorism offences: Scotland
Section 6
This is the Schedule to be inserted as Schedule 5ZA to the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995—
SCHEDULE 5 ¶
Terrorism offences attracting extended sentence: Scotland
Section 19
This is the Schedule to be inserted as Schedule 5ZC to the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995—
I11SCHEDULE 6 ¶
Offences attracting special custodial sentence for offenders of particular concern: England and Wales
Section 21
This is the Schedule to be substituted for Schedule 13 to the Sentencing Code—
SCHEDULE 7 ¶
Offences attracting terrorism sentence with fixed licence period: Scotland
Section 23
This is the Schedule to be inserted as Schedule 5ZB to the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995—
SCHEDULE 8 ¶
Corresponding provision about sentencing under service law
Section 25
PART 1 Serious terrorism sentences etc¶
Serious terrorism sentence for services offences¶
Reduction in appropriate custodial term for guilty plea¶
Minimum term orders for serious terrorism offenders in cases of service offences¶
Reduction in appropriate custodial term for assistance to prosecution¶
PART 2 Offences attracting special custodial sentence¶
PART 3 Special custodial sentence for terrorist offenders of particular concern aged under 18 at time of offence¶
224B Special sentence of detention for terrorist offenders of particular concern aged under 18
SCHEDULE 9 ¶
Offences carrying restricted eligibility of terrorist prisoners for release on licence: England and Wales
Section 27
This is the Schedule to be substituted for Schedule 19ZA to the Criminal Justice Act 2003—
Section 247ASCHEDULE 19ZA
Offences carrying restricted eligibility of terrorist prisoners for release on licence
PART 1
Terrorism offences punishable with imprisonment for life
PART 2
Terrorism offences punishable with imprisonment for more than two years (but not life)
PART 3
Other offences punishable with imprisonment for life
SCHEDULE 10 ¶
Offences carrying restricted eligibility of terrorist prisoners for release on licence: Scotland
Section 28
This is the Schedule to be substituted for Schedule 1A to the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993—
Section 1ABSCHEDULE 1A
Offences carrying restricted eligibility of terrorist prisoners for release on licence
PART 1
Terrorism offences punishable with imprisonment for life
PART 2
Terrorism offences punishable with imprisonment for more than two years (but not life)
PART 3
Other offences punishable with imprisonment for life
SCHEDULE 11 ¶
Release on licence of repatriated terrorist prisoners
Section 33
SCHEDULE 12 ¶
Serious crime prevention orders: power for police to apply in terrorism-related cases
Section 43
8A Serious crime prevention orders that are terrorism-related
| “terrorism-related” | section 8A |
Chief officers of police in England and Wales
The chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland
The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland
SCHEDULE 13 ¶
Consequential and related amendments
Section 46
PART 1 Offences aggravated by terrorist connection¶
Terrorism Act 2000 (c. 11)¶
Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 (c. 28)¶
Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (c. 6)¶
Space Industry Act 2018 (c. 5)¶
Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 (c. 3)¶
Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17)¶
PART 2 Serious terrorism sentence: England and Wales¶
Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48)¶
Mental Health Act 1983 (c. 20)¶
Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44)¶
Offender Management Act 2007 (c. 21)¶
Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17)¶
Serious terrorism sentence: determination of appropriate custodial term
| 4A | a serious terrorism sentence of detention in a young offender institution | the term imposed pursuant to section 268C(2) (the appropriate custodial term) |
| 6A | a serious terrorism sentence of imprisonment | the term imposed pursuant to section 282C(2) (the appropriate custodial term) |
Space Industry Act 2018
PART 3 Offences attracting special custodial sentence: England and Wales¶
Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17)¶
PART 4 Sentence for offenders of particular concern aged under 18 at time of offence: England and Wales¶
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (c. 53)¶
Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43)¶
Mental Health Act 1983 (c. 20)¶
Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c. 33)¶
Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (c. 37)¶
Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (c. 43)¶
Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c. 29)¶
Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42)¶
Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44)¶
Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28)¶
Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52)¶
Offender Management Act 2007 (c. 21)¶
Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 (c. 28)¶
Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17)¶
16A Committal for sentence of young offenders on summary trial of certain terrorist offences
| 1A | a sentence of detention under section 252A (special sentence of detention for terrorist offenders of particular concern) | two-thirds of the term imposed pursuant to section 252A(5) (the appropriate custodial term) |
Children (Secure Accommodation) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/1505)¶
Youth Justice Board for England and Wales Order 2000 (S.I. 2000/1160)¶
Child Benefit (General) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/223)¶
Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/794)¶
Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/379)¶
Children (Secure Accommodation) (Wales) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1988 (W. 298))¶
PART 5 Amendments in relation to sentencing under service law¶
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (c. 53)¶
Rehabilitation of Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 (S.I. 1978/1908 (N.I. 27))¶
Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48)¶
Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (c. 37)¶
Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (c. 43)¶
Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42)¶
Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44)¶
Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52)¶
Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 (c. 28)¶
Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17)¶
PART 6 Amendments in relation to release: England and Wales¶
Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (c. 6)¶
Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44)¶
Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10)¶
PART 7 Consequential and related amendments: Scotland¶
Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 (c. 49)¶
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (c. 53)¶
Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984 (c. 47)¶
Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989 (c. 45)¶
Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993 (c. 9)¶
1B Prisoners serving consecutive sentences including at least one terrorism sentence
Criminal Procedure (Scotland Act) 1995 (c. 46)¶
Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 (c. 43)¶
International Criminal Court (Scotland) Act 2001 (asp 13)¶
Extradition Act 2003 (c. 41)¶
Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42)¶
Custodial Sentences and Weapons (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 17)¶
Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 (c. 28)¶
Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Act 2020 (c. 3)¶
PART 8 Serious terrorism sentence and extended custodial sentence: Northern Ireland¶
Treatment of Offenders Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 (c. 29 (N.I.))¶
Rehabilitation of Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 (S.I. 1978/1908 (N.I. 27))¶
Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (S.I. 1985/595 (N.I. 4))¶
Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/3160 (N.I. 24))¶
Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 (c. 28)¶
Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1216 (N.I. 1))¶
PART 9 Terrorism sentence with fixed licence period: Northern Ireland¶
Treatment of Offenders Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 (c. 29 (N.I.))¶
Rehabilitation of Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 (S.I. 1978/1908 (N.I. 27))¶
Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/3160 (N.I. 24))¶
Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42)¶
Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 (c. 28)¶
Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1216 (N.I. 1))¶
PART 10 Release on licence: Northern Ireland¶
Extradition Act 2003 (c. 41)¶
Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1216 (N.I. 1))¶
Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 21 (N.I.))¶
Parole Commissioners' Rules (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. (N.I.) 2009 No. 82)¶
Footnotes
- I1S. 1 in force at 29.6.2021 for specified purposes and otherwise prosp. see s. 50(2)(a)(3)(a)
- I2S. 11 in force at 29.6.2021 for specified purposes and otherwise prosp. see s. 50(2)(f)(3)(b)
- I3S. 15 in force at 29.6.2021 for specified purposes and otherwise prosp. see s. 50(2)(h)(3)(c)
- I4S. 16 in force at 29.6.2021 for specified purposes and otherwise prosp. see s. 50(2)(i)(3)(d)
- I5S. 17 in force at 29.6.2021 for specified purposes and otherwise prosp. see s. 50(2)(j)(3)(e)
- I6S. 18 in force at 29.6.2021 for specified purposes and otherwise prosp. see s. 50(2)(j)(3)(e)
- I7S. 21 in force at 30.4.2021 for specified purposes and otherwise prosp. see s. 50(1)(b)(3)(f)
- I8S. 46 in force at 30.4.2021 and 29.6.2021 for specified purposes and otherwise prosp. see s. 50(1)(i)(2)(v)(3)(i)(j)
- I9Sch. 1 Pt. 1 in force at 29.6.2021 for specified purposes and otherwise prosp. see s. 50(2)(a)(3)(a)
- I10Sch. 1 Pt. 2 in force at 29.6.2021 for specified purposes and otherwise prosp. see s. 50(2)(a)(3)(a)
- I11Sch. 6 in force at 30.4.2021 for specified purposes and otherwise prosp. see s. 50(1)(b)(3)(f)
- I12Sch. 13 para. 6 in force at 29.6.2021 for specified purposes and otherwise prosp. see s. 50(2)(v)(i)(3)(a)(h)
- I13Sch. 13 para. 12 in force at 30.4.2021 for specified purposes and otherwise prosp. see s. 50(1)(i)(i)(3)(j)
- I14Sch. 13 para. 45(1)-(3)(5)(6) in force at 30.4.2021, Sch. 13 para. 45(4) in force at 29.6.2021 see s. 50(1)(i)(iv)(2)(v)(iii)
- I15Sch. 13 para. 52(1)-(6)(7)(b)-(d)(8)-(17) in force at 30.4.2021, Sch. 13 para. 52(7)(a) in force at 29.6.2021 see s. 50(1)(i)(vi)(2)(v)(iii)
- I16Sch. 13 para. 53(1)-(3) in force at 30.4.2021, Sch. 13 para. 53(4) in force at 29.6.2021 see s. 50(1)(i)(vii)(2)(v)(iii)
- F1Sch. 13 para. 44 omitted (28.6.2022) by virtue of Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), s. 208(5)(aa), Sch. 21 para. 13
- F2Sch. 13 para. 9(6) omitted (31.3.2026 for specified purposes and otherwise coming into force in accordance with reg. 4 of the commencing S.I.) by virtue of Sentencing Act 2026 (c. 2), ss. 33(13)(d), 49(1) (with s. 33(14)); S.I. 2026/86, regs. 3(b)(iv), 4
- F3Sch. 13 para. 9(7)(b) omitted (31.3.2026 for specified purposes and otherwise coming into force in accordance with reg. 4 of the commencing S.I.) by virtue of Sentencing Act 2026 (c. 2), ss. 33(13)(d), 49(1) (with s. 33(14)); S.I. 2026/86, regs. 3(b)(iv), 4