Criminal Justice Act 2003, section 330

Orders and rules

Part 14 General

(1)This section applies to—

(a)any power conferred by this Act on the Secretary of State to make an order or rules;

(b)F736the power conferred by section 168 . . . [F737or the Lord Chief JusticeF737] to make an order.

[F738 (c)the powers conferred on the Lord Chancellor by sections [F739 29(2E),F739] 174(4) and 269(6) to make an order.F738]

(2)The power is exercisable by statutory instrument.

[F740 (2A)Where a statutory instrument is made by the Lord Chief Justice in the exercise of the power referred to in subsection (1)(b), the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 applies to the instrument as if it contained an order made by a Minister of the Crown.F740]

(3)The power—

(a)may be exercised so as to make different provision for different purposes or different areas, and

(b)may be exercised either for all the purposes to which the power extends, or for those purposes subject to specified exceptions, or only for specified purposes.

(4)The power includes power to make—

(a)any supplementary, incidental or consequential provision, and

(b)any transitory, transitional or saving provision,

which the Minister making the instrument considers necessary or expedient.

(5)A statutory instrument containing—

(a)an order under any of the following provisions—

[F756 (aa)an order under section 23A(4) which makes provision—

(i)increasing the fraction in section 23A(3)(a), or

(ii)increasing the figure in section 23A(3)(b) by more than is necessary to reflect changes in the value of money,F756]

F757(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [F758orF758]

(c)F759an order making any provision by virtue of section 333(2)(b) which adds to, replaces or omits any part of the text of an Act, ...

F759(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

may only be made if a draft of the statutory instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(6)Any other statutory instrument made in the exercise of a power to which this section applies is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(7)Subsection (6) does not apply to a statutory instrument containing only an order made under one or more of the following provisions—

  • F760 ...

  • F760 ...

  • section 253(5),

  • section 325(6)(i), and

  • section 336.

Cases considering section 330 9

R (Stellato) v Secretary of State for the Home Department

[2007] UKHL 5 · 14 March 2007Interprets

The provision authorised transitory, transitional or saving provisions considered necessary or expedient. Use of this power, rather than the amendment power attracting affirmative approval, indicated that the order addressed transitional procedure rather than substantive rights (see paras [4]-[6]; [14]; [16]). The provision identifies instruments requiring affirmative approval by both Houses. Lord Hope used its scope to assess the significance of the procedure selected for the 2005 Order (see paras [10]-[14]; [16]). The provision requires affirmative approval for an order bringing section 43 into force. It illustrated Parliament's express selection of heightened scrutiny for specified commencement orders (see paras [10]-[12]). The provision subjects other statutory instruments under the relevant powers to the negative resolution procedure. The 2005 Order therefore received no guaranteed parliamentary debate (see paras [12]-[14]).

Patel & Ors, R. v

[2021] EWCA Crim 231 · 25 February 2021

The provision permitted transitional or saving provision when the early-release proportion was changed. The court noted that no such provision was made and held that courts could not supply one by reducing sentences. (see paras [14]-[16]; [42])

Alan Charles Newlove, R (on the application of) v The Parole Board & Anor

[2026] EWHC 2357 (Admin) · 17 August 2026Limits

Section 330(3) forms part of the statutory rule-making framework. Read with section 239(5), it supports the conclusion that the rules regulate proceedings but are not the source of every power needed for fair consideration of a case. (see paras [147]; [153]) Section 330(4), together with section 239(5), confirms the statutory basis for rules regulating the Board’s proceedings. It does not displace the power under section 239(3) to consider oral information or the implied incidental power to hold a fair hearing. (see paras [147]; [153]-[155])

What each judgment says about section 330 is in the case-law panel in the full Act.

Explanatory note

730.This Section provides that where the Act confers power on a Minister to make an order or rules, the power is exercisable by statutory instrument.

731.Subsection (4) specifies that this power may also include the power to make transitional and consequential provisions and savings, whenever a provision in the Act is commenced by order under Section 330.

732.Subsection (5) lists statutory instruments that are to be subject to affirmative resolution procedure. All other instruments made under powers to which the Section applies, apart from those excluded by subsection (7), are subject to negative resolution procedure. An instrument made under any of the provisions mentioned in subsection (7) is not subject to any parliamentary procedure.

All the explanatory notes for the Act

Amendments and notes

26 notes from legislation.gov.uk

Amendments

  1. F736Words in s. 330(1)(b) repealed (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 146, 148, Sch. 18 Pt. 2; S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 30(b)
  2. F737Words in s. 330(1)(b) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15(1), 148, Sch. 4 para. 359(2); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(cc)
  3. F738S. 330(1)(c) added (6.4.2010) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), ss. 177, 182, (with s. 180, Sch. 22)); S.I. 2010/816, art. 2, Sch. paras. 14(b), 20(b) (with art. 7(4))
  4. F739Word in s. 330(1)(c) inserted (7.11.2023) by Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (c. 35), s. 51(4), Sch. 2 para. 4(4); S.I. 2023/1194, reg. 2(e)
  5. F740S. 330(2A) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15(1), 148, Sch. 4 para. 359(3); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(cc)
  6. F741Words in s. 330(5)(a) inserted (16.11.2009 for specified purposes and otherwise prosp.) by Police and Justice Act 2006 (c. 48), ss. 17(5)(a), 53; S.I. 2009/2774, art. 2 text inserted prospectively or the amendment may be in effect for limited purposes, see the commentary.
  7. F742Words in s. 330(5)(a) repealed (30.11.2009) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 6, 149, 153, Sch. 4 para. 95, Sch. 28 Pt. 1 (with Sch. 27 paras. 1, 5); S.I. 2009/3074, art. 2(p)(xv)(u)(xxxi)
  8. F743Words in s. 330(5)(a) repealed (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 28 (with ss. 413(4)(5), 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
  9. F744Words in s. 330(5)(a) omitted (1.6.2014) by virtue of Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), s. 22(1), Sch. 4 para. 13; S.I. 2014/1287, art. 2(d)
  10. F745Words in s. 330(5)(a) inserted (14.7.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 148, 153, Sch. 26 para. 76; S.I. 2008/1586, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 48(a)
  11. F746Words in s. 330(5)(a) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 21 para. 30(a); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(s)
  12. F747Word in s. 330(5)(a) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 21 para. 30(b); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(s)
  13. F748Words in s. 330(5)(a) inserted (3.2.2025) by Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (c. 21), ss. 59(8), 81(2); S.I. 2025/95, reg. 3(b)
  14. F749Words in s. 330(5)(a) inserted (22.1.2026 for enabling the exercise of power to make regulations) by Sentencing Act 2026 (c. 2), ss. 29(3), 49(3)(c)
  15. F750Words in s. 330(5)(a) inserted (22.1.2026 for enabling the exercise of power to make regulations, 31.3.2026 for specified purposes and otherwise coming into force in accordance with reg. 4 of the commencing S.I.) by Sentencing Act 2026 (c. 2), ss. 30(3), 49(3)(c) (with s. 33(14)); S.I. 2026/86, regs. 3(b)(i), 4 text inserted for certain specified purposes only, see the commentary.
  16. F751Words in s. 330(5)(a) inserted (22.1.2026 for enabling the exercise of power to make regulations, 31.3.2026 for specified purposes and otherwise coming into force in accordance with reg. 4 of the commencing S.I.) by Sentencing Act 2026 (c. 2), ss. 32(3), 49(3)(c) (with s. 33(14)); S.I. 2026/86, regs. 3(b)(iii), 4 text inserted for certain specified purposes only, see the commentary.
  17. F752Words in s. 330(5)(a) inserted (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 137(3), 208(1); S.I. 2022/520, reg. 5(p)
  18. F753Words in s. 330(5)(a) omitted (11.5.2026) by virtue of Sentencing Act 2026 (c. 2), s. 49(1), Sch. 5 para. 9(7)(a) (with s. 34(4)(5)); S.I. 2026/402, reg. 2(b)
  19. F754Words in s. 330(5)(a) inserted (E.W.) (1.6.2015) by Serious Crime Act 2015 (c. 9), ss. 10(4), 88(1); S.I. 2015/820, reg. 3(g)
  20. F755Words in s. 330(5)(a) omitted (11.5.2026) by virtue of Sentencing Act 2026 (c. 2), s. 49(1), Sch. 5 para. 9(7)(b) (with s. 34(4)(5)); S.I. 2026/402, reg. 2(b)
  21. F756S. 330(5)(aa) inserted (16.11.2009) by Police and Justice Act 2006 (c. 48), ss. 17(5)(b), 53; S.I. 2009/2774, art. 3
  22. F757S. 330(5)(b) repealed (1.5.2012) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), s. 120, Sch. 9 para. 148(5), Sch. 10 Pt. 10
  23. F758Word in s. 330(5)(b) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 110(12)(a), 151(1) (with Sch. 15); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(d)
  24. F759S. 330(5)(d) and preceding word omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 110(12)(b), 151(1) (with Sch. 15); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(d)
  25. F760Words in s. 330(7) repealed (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 28 (with ss. 413(4)(5), 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

Modifications

  1. C70S. 330 modified in part (1.12.2020 immediately before the consolidation date (see 2020 c. 9, ss. 3, 5(2)(3) and 2020 c. 17, ss. 2, 416)) by Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Act 2020 (c. 9), ss. 1, 5(2)(3); S.I. 2012/1236, reg. 2