Legal background Discretionary Life Sentences
Life Sentences for offences excluding murder must be imposed in the following circumstances, using the discretion of the court to decide if a life sentence should apply:
Under sections 258 and 285 of the Sentencing Code; a life sentence should be imposed where an offence falls under section 19 of the Sentencing Code and the courts finds a significant risk to the public of serious harm on the commission of further offending.
From a conviction for a second listed offence, known as "automatic life" under sections 283 and 284 of the Sentencing Code.
	Discretionary Life Sentences are available to courts where an offender is guilty of an offence which has a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.
	For all life sentences the sentencing judge has discretion to set the minimum term (tariff) to be spent in custody, after which the prisoner is eligible for release by the Parole Board if they are no longer considered to be a risk to the public. For Mandatory Life Sentences, starting points for minimum terms are set out in statute (sections 269-277 and Schedules 21 of the Sentencing Code).