The framework for imposing community orders is set out in Chapter 2 of Part 9 of the Sentencing Code. In summary, a community order may only include ‘available requirements’ (section 206), which are listed in section 201 of, and Schedule 9 to, the Code. There is a general requirement that restrictions imposed by a community order are commensurate with the seriousness of the offence (section 208(6)) and that at least one community order requirement must be imposed for the purposes of punishment, unless the court also imposes a fine or there are exceptional circumstances (section 208(10) and (11)). Community orders must have a specified end date and cannot last more than three years (section 209).
	The framework for suspended sentence orders is set out in Chapter 5 of Part 10 of the Sentencing Code. A suspended sentence may, but is not required to, include community requirements with which the offender must comply during a specified ‘supervision period’ (section 286(2), 288(3)-(4)), which must not exceed two years (section 288(4)). The community requirements are set out in section 287 of, and Schedule 9, to the Code. They are identical to the available requirements for community orders. The supervision period for a suspended sentence order cannot exceed two years.
Legal background Part 2: Management of offenders after sentencing Community order requirements and community requirements Community Order Reform