Last amended by Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 in 2026. 16 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
Summary
The Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 made a series of changes to criminal offences, the management of young offenders, court procedure, and judicial review. Part 1 increased sentences for some offences and created new offences — most prominently the offence of disclosing private sexual photographs or films with intent to cause distress ('revenge porn', s.33) and the ill-treatment or wilful neglect offences for care workers and care providers — while Part 3 strengthened the law on juror misconduct, creating offences for jurors who research their case or disclose the jury's deliberations. Part 2 provided for 'secure colleges' for young offenders. Part 4 restricted judicial review, introducing the 'highly likely' test under which permission and relief may be refused where the conduct complained of would not have made a substantial difference, and reforming the costs rules on interveners and cost-capping orders.
Key Points
- 'Revenge porn' — offence of disclosing private sexual photographs or films with intent to cause distress (s.33)
- Ill-treatment or wilful neglect offences for care workers and care providers (ss.20-25)
- Juror offences — researching the case or disclosing the jury's deliberations (Part 3, ss.69-74)
- Secure colleges for the detention of young offenders (Part 2)
- Judicial review reform — the 'highly likely' test (s.84) and cost-capping orders (Part 4)
- Increased maximum sentences for certain driving offences
Parts & Sections
Amendments History
2020 — Sentencing Act 2020
27 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2026 — Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026
16 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2021 — Domestic Abuse Act 2021
14 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2022 — The Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Powers) Regulations 2023
9 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2022 — Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022
8 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
Frequently asked questions
- What are the rules regarding juror misconduct and research?
- Part 3 of the Act strengthens the law on juror misconduct. It creates offences for jurors who intentionally seek information relevant to the case they are trying, other than as part of the trial. It also makes it an offence to disclose information about statements made or votes cast during the jury's deliberations, subject to certain exceptions.
- How does the Act change the detention of young offenders?
- Part 2 of the Act provided for the establishment of 'secure colleges' for young offenders. These facilities are designed for the detention of young people within the criminal justice system.
- What is the 'highly likely' test in judicial review?
- Part 4 of the Act introduced the 'highly likely' test for judicial review. Under this test, the court must refuse relief, and may refuse permission, if it appears highly likely that the outcome would not have been substantially different had the complained-of conduct not occurred. It also restricts costs-capping orders to public-interest proceedings where permission has been granted.