Sentencing guideline for environmental offences published

The Sentencing Council has published a sentencing guideline for environmental offences which sets out a 12-step sentencing process to punish offenders, prevent reoffending and remove financial gain. The guideline uses turnover as a starting point in the process of setting a suitable fine for an organisation. It requires the court to consider the real economic impact of a fine and how to bring home to both the management and shareholders of a business the need to improve regulatory compliance.

The guideline will apply to the sentencing of organisations for environmental offences from 1 July 2014 (regardless of the date of the offence).