Glossary

UK Criminal & Prison Law Glossary

Plain-English definitions of the terms you'll hear about your case, your sentence, or the appeal process. Not sure what applies to you? Take our free eligibility check or contact us.

Adjudication

A disciplinary hearing inside prison for an alleged rule-breach (fights, drugs, phones, unauthorised articles). Heard by the Governor or an Independent Adjudicator.

Appeal (against conviction)

A challenge to the safety of a conviction, usually to the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division). Time limit: 28 days from conviction (extendable in limited circumstances).

Appeal (against sentence)

A challenge that the sentence imposed was manifestly excessive or wrong in principle. Same 28-day time limit.

Bad character evidence

Evidence of previous convictions or misconduct admitted at trial under strict rules.

Cat A / B / C / D

Prisoner security categorisation. Cat A = highest security; Cat D = open conditions. Categorisation can be challenged.

CCRC

Criminal Cases Review Commission. The independent body that investigates suspected miscarriages of justice and can refer cases back to the Court of Appeal.

Concurrent / consecutive

Concurrent sentences run at the same time; consecutive sentences run one after another.

Confiscation order

An order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) requiring you to pay a sum representing the benefit of criminal conduct.

Conditional discharge

A sentence with no immediate punishment, provided no further offence is committed within the specified period.

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

The court that hears appeals against Crown Court convictions and sentences.

Crown Court

The court that tries either-way and indictable offences before a judge and jury.

Determinate sentence

A fixed-length prison sentence with a defined release date.

Disclosure

The prosecution's duty to disclose material that might undermine its case or assist the defence.

Extended sentence (EDS)

A sentence with an extended licence period for dangerous offenders.

Fresh evidence

Evidence not available at trial that may render a conviction unsafe — a common CCRC ground.

Grounds of appeal

The specific legal reasons why a conviction or sentence should be overturned. Must be drafted with precision.

HDC

Home Detention Curfew (tag). Early release scheme allowing eligible prisoners to serve the last part of a determinate sentence at home under curfew.

Indictable offence

The most serious offences, tried only in the Crown Court.

IPP

Imprisonment for Public Protection. Abolished in 2012 but many prisoners are still serving IPP sentences. Release requires Parole Board approval.

Judicial review

A challenge to the lawfulness of a decision made by a public body (e.g. the Parole Board, Governor, Secretary of State).

Leave to appeal

Permission to appeal. Most appeals require a single judge's leave before the full Court of Appeal hears them.

Licence conditions

The rules a released prisoner must follow while on licence. Breach can lead to recall.

Life sentence

A mandatory (murder) or discretionary sentence with a minimum term (tariff) before parole can be considered.

Magistrates' Court

The court that hears summary and some either-way offences.

MAPPA

Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements. Framework for managing sexual and violent offenders on release.

Miscarriage of justice

A wrongful conviction or sentence. The CCRC is the statutory body for investigating these.

Newton hearing

A hearing where the judge decides disputed facts after a guilty plea, before sentencing.

OASys

Offender Assessment System. Probation's risk assessment document — often central to Parole Board decisions.

Parole Board

The independent body that decides whether indeterminate and recalled prisoners are safe to release.

POCA

Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Governs confiscation, money laundering and civil recovery.

Pre-sentence report (PSR)

A report by Probation to help the judge decide sentence.

Recall

Return to prison for breach of licence conditions or new offending. Can be fixed-term (14/28 days) or standard.

Reasoned decision

The written reasons for a Parole Board decision. Often the key document for a judicial review.

Reg 32 (Rule 39)

Prison rule protecting confidential legal correspondence from being read by staff.

Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL)

Temporary release from prison for work, family or resettlement.

Sentencing guidelines

The published guidelines the Sentencing Council issues, which judges must follow unless it's contrary to the interests of justice.

Solicitor of record

The solicitor formally on the court file as acting for you. Different from an advisory reviewer.

SOTP / Kaizen / Horizon

Accredited prison behaviour programmes; completion is often required before release.

Suspended sentence

A prison sentence that doesn't take effect unless a further offence or breach occurs during the operational period.

Tariff / minimum term

The minimum period an indeterminate-sentenced prisoner must serve before being eligible to apply for parole.