AQO 3690/22-27 Oral question to the Minister of Justice
To ask the Minister of Justice for an update on the Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill (NIA Bill 26/22-27).
Asked by Andrew McMurray MLA on 28 May 2026
- Answered
- Oral
- Answered in the Chamber
- Tabled
- 28 May 2026
- Answer due by
- 9 June 2026
- Answered
- 9 June 202612 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Justice
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Answered in the Assembly Chamber on 9 June 2026. Extract from the Official Report (Hansard), including any supplementary questions:
Mrs Long
The Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill was introduced to the Assembly on Tuesday 3 March. Second Stage took place on Monday 16 March. Committee Stage began on 18 March, with the Bill being referred to the Committee for Justice for scrutiny. The Committee launched a call for evidence on 31 March, which concluded on 22 May. The key purpose of the Bill is to improve the effectiveness and transparency of sentencing, and, in so doing, enhance confidence in sentencing decisions and the criminal justice system more widely. The Bill includes clauses to implement many of the recommendations arising from the last sentencing policy review, as well as the introduction of Charlotte's law and a statutory aggravator model for hate crime. Sentencing is one area of public policy that is constantly evolving. Therefore, on 14 January 2026, I launched a review of further sentencing policy issues to identify any legislative proposals that may be taken forward in the next mandate.
Mr McMurray
Thank you, Minister. You mentioned that this is an area of work that is constantly evolving. Can you provide an update on criminalising the creation or sharing of non-consensual sexually explicit deepfake images?
Mrs Long
As Members will be aware, I had hoped to be able to do that at Consideration Stage of the Justice Bill for new offences to criminalise the creation or sharing of non-consensual sexually explicit deepfake images. Unfortunately, we were unable to do it via an LCM, which would have brought us into line with England and Wales. It would also have left us with a gap, given the structure of our own laws. Therefore, it is better that we do it locally and have the opportunity to scrutinise it here in the Assembly. As we have moved on into the drafting phase, however, it has become apparent that this is an exceptionally complex issue and that more time is needed to ensure a proportionate, robust and comprehensive response to addressing all aspects of that behaviour. Therefore, in the interests of ensuring the effective progression of the Justice Bill, I have decided to look at alternative options in the form of other legislative vehicles that will be available to me in bringing forward those proposals within the current mandate. That includes the potential to use the Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill or, indeed, the victims and witnesses Bill.