§ Mr. StephenTo ask the Attorney-General if he will ensure that upon the conviction of any person of a crime to which section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 applies, written notice is given to the victim of that crime or his or her relatives that the Attorney-General has a right of appeal, with leave of the Court of Appeal, if the sentence passed for that crime is unduly lenient.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThere are well-established procedures within the Crown prosecution service and other prosecuting authorities for drawing to my attention cases where a reference to the Court of Appeal under section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 might be appropriate. My power to seek leave under the Act applies to all offences triable only upon indictment. There does not appear to be any lack of public awareness of the availability of the reference procedure.