Criminal Justice Act 2003, section 237

Meaning of “fixed-term prisoner” etc

Part 12 Sentencing

(1) In this Chapter “fixed-term prisoner” means—

(a)a person serving a sentence of imprisonment for a determinate term, or

(b)a person serving a determinate sentence of detention under section 91 [F181or 96F181] of [F182the PCC(S)A 2000, underF182] section [F183226A, 226B,F183][F184 227 F184][F185 , 228 or 236AF185] of this Act [F186or under section 250 [F187 , 252AF187] , 254, 262, 265, [F188 266 or 268AF188] of the Sentencing CodeF186] .

[F189 and “fixed-term sentence” means a sentence falling within paragraph (a) or (b). F189]

[F190 (1B)In this Chapter—

(a)references to a sentence of imprisonment include such a sentence passed by a service court;

[F191 (aa)references to a sentence of detention under section 262 of the Sentencing Code include a sentence of detention in a young offender institution under section 210B of the Armed Forces Act 2006;F191]

(b)references to a sentence of detention under [F192 section 91 of the PCC(S)A 2000 or section 250 of the Sentencing CodeF192] include a sentence of detention under section 209 of the Armed Forces Act 2006;

[F193 (ba)references to a sentence under section 226A of this Act [F194 or section 266 or 279 of the Sentencing CodeF194] include a sentence under that section passed as a result of section 219A of the Armed Forces Act 2006;

(bb)references to a sentence under section 226B of this Act [F195 or section 254 of the Sentencing CodeF195] include a sentence under that section passed as a result of section 221A of the Armed Forces Act 2006;F193]

(c)references to a sentence under section 227 of this Act include a sentence under that section passed as a result of section 220 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 [F196 or section 240AF196] ; F197...

(d)references to a sentence under section 228 of this Act include a sentence under that section passed as a result of section 222 of that Act[F198 , and

(e)references to a sentence under section 236A of this Act [F199 or section 265 or 278 of the Sentencing CodeF199] include a sentence under that section passed as a result of section 224A of that Act.F198]

(1C)Nothing in subsection (1B) has the effect that [F200 section 240ZAF200] or 265 [F201 of this Act or section 225 of the Sentencing CodeF201] (provision equivalent to which is made by the Armed Forces Act 2006) [F202 or section 240AF202] applies to a service court.F190]

(2) In this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, “prisoner” includes a person serving a sentence falling within subsection (1)(b); and “prison” includes any place where a person serving such a sentence is liable to be detained.

[F203 (3)In this Chapter, references to a sentence of detention under section 96 of [F204 the PCC(S)A 2000, underF204] section [F205 226AF205] [F206 , 227 or 236AF206] of this Act [F207 or under section 262, 265 [F208 , 266 or 268AF208] of the Sentencing CodeF207] are references to a sentence of detention in a young offender institution.F203]

Definitions used in section 237 3

sentence of imprisonment

“sentence of imprisonment” does not include a committal—

(a)

in default of payment of any sum of money,

(b)

for want of sufficient distress to satisfy any sum of money, or

(c)

for failure to do or abstain from doing anything required to be done or left undone ,

and references to sentencing an offender to imprisonment are to be read accordingly;

Defined in s.305(1) · see it in the full Act
the PCC(S)A 2000

“the PCC(S)A 2000” means the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 ;

Defined in s.305(1) · see it in the full Act
service court

“service court” means—

(a)

the Court Martial;

(b)

the Summary Appeal Court;

(c)

the Service Civilian Court;

(d)

the Court Martial Appeal Court; or

(e)

the Supreme Court on an appeal brought from the Court Martial Appeal Court;

Defined in s.305(1) · see it in the full Act

8 In this Schedule, and in any provision of this Part as applied by this Schedule, “service court” means—

(a) the Court Martial;

(b) the Summary Appeal Court;

(c) the Service Civilian Court; or

(d) the Court Martial Appeal Court.

Defined in Sch.7 para.8 · see it in the full Act

Cases considering section 237 6

Scothern v R

[2020] EWCA Crim 1540 · 20 November 2020Defines

Section 237(1) defines a fixed-term sentence. The court held that the definition excludes a detention and training order, so that section 247A does not govern such an order (see paras [41]-[44]).

O'Connell, R (on the application of) v The Parole Board & Anor

[2009] EWCA Civ 575 · 23 April 2009Defines

Applies the statutory classification of an extended sentence as a determinate sentence. That classification was central to treating detention during the custodial term as authorised by the sentencing judge (see para [20]).

R v Ujeza Kurmekaj

[2024] EWCA Crim 1666 · 17 December 2024Defines

The court treated the imposed sentence as a standard determinate sentence, defined by this provision as a fixed-term sentence (see para [2]).

What each judgment says about section 237 is in the case-law panel in the full Act.

Explanatory note

567.This section is an interpretation provision. In particular it defines “fixed-term prisoner” for the purposes of this Chapter.

All the explanatory notes for the Act

Amendments and notes

31 notes from legislation.gov.uk

Amendments

  1. F180Word in s. 237 heading inserted (28.3.2009 for certain purposes and otherwise 31.10.2009) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), ss. 378(1), 383, Sch. 16 para. 219; S.I. 2009/812, art. 3 (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4 this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  2. F181Words in s. 237(1)(b) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 117(2)(a), 151(1) (with Sch. 15); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(d)
  3. F182Words in s. 237(1)(b) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 218(2)(a) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
  4. F183Words in s. 237(1)(b) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 20 para. 2(2); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(r)
  5. F184Words in s. 237(1)(b) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 117(2)(b), 151(1) (with Sch. 15); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(d)
  6. F185Words in s. 237(1)(b) substituted (13.4.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 1 para. 15(2); S.I. 2015/778, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 72
  7. F186Words in s. 237(1)(b) inserted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 218(2)(b) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
  8. F187Word in s. 237(1)(b) inserted (30.4.2021) by Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), s. 50(1)(i), Sch. 13 para. 21(2)
  9. F188Words in s. 237(1)(b) substituted (29.6.2021) by Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), s. 50(2)(v), Sch. 13 para. 9(2)(a)
  10. F189Words in s. 237(1) inserted (1.2.2015) by Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), ss. 2(3), 22(1) (with Sch. 7 para. 2); S.I. 2015/40, art. 2(b)
  11. F190S. 237(1B)(1C) inserted (28.3.2009 for certain purposes and otherwise 31.10.2009) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), ss. 378(1), 383, Sch. 16 para. 219; S.I. 2009/812, art. 3 (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4 this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  12. F191S. 237(1B)(aa) inserted (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), s. 208(5)(aa), Sch. 21 para. 12
  13. F192Words in s. 237(1B)(b) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 218(3)(a) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
  14. F193S. 237(1B)(ba)(bb) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 22 para. 21; S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(t)
  15. F194Words in s. 237(1B)(ba) inserted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 218(3)(b) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
  16. F195Words in s. 237(1B)(bb) inserted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 218(3)(c) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
  17. F196Words in s. 237(1B) inserted (31.10.2009) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 21(2), 153; S.I. 2009/2606, art. 3(a)
  18. F197Word in s. 237(1B)(c) omitted (13.4.2015) by virtue of Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 1 para. 15(3)(a); S.I. 2015/778, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 72
  19. F198S. 237(1B)(e) and word inserted (13.4.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 1 para. 15(3)(b); S.I. 2015/778, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 72
  20. F199Words in s. 237(1B)(e) inserted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 218(3)(d) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
  21. F200Words in s. 237(1C) substituted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 110(2)(a), 151(1) (with Sch. 15); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(d)
  22. F201Words in s. 237(1C) inserted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 218(4) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
  23. F202Words in s. 237(1C) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 110(2)(b), 151(1) (with Sch. 15); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(d)
  24. F203S. 237(3) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 117(3), 151(1) (with Sch. 15); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(d)
  25. F204Words in s. 237(3) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 218(5)(a) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
  26. F205Words in s. 237(3) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 20 para. 2(3); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(r)
  27. F206Words in s. 237(3) substituted (13.4.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 1 para. 15(4); S.I. 2015/778, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 72
  28. F207Words in s. 237(3) inserted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 218(5)(b) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
  29. F208Words in s. 237(3) substituted (29.6.2021) by Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), s. 50(2)(v), Sch. 13 para. 9(2)(b)

Modifications

  1. C19S. 237(1B) modified (24.4.2009 for certain purposes, otherwise 31.10.2009) by The Armed Forces Act 2006 (Transitional Provisions etc) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1059), arts. 1(3), 205, Sch. 1 para. 53(8)

Commencement

  1. I97S. 237 wholly in force at 4.4.2005; s. 237 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 336(3); s. 237 in force for certain purposes at 26.1.2004 by S.I. 2003/3282, art. 2, Sch.; s. 237 in force in so far as not already in force at 4.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/950, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 19 (subject to art. 2(2), Sch. 2)