Part 1: Sentencing of terrorist offenders Section 11: Minimum term order for serious terrorism offenders: England and Wales
Section 11 requires that where a discretionary life sentence is given to an offender who would otherwise be sentenced to a serious terrorism sentence, the minimum custodial term must be at least 14 years, adjusted for time spent on remand or tagged bail, unless the court finds there are exceptional circumstances which justify a lesser period. This is to ensure consistency in the minimum term imposed on those convicted of serious terrorism offences.
	Section 11 amends section 323 of the Sentencing Code to include new subsection (3) – (6). New subsection (3) provides that the minimum term in a serious terrorism case must be at least 14 years, subject to subsection 323(5) and (6).
	New subsection (4) in section 323 defines a serious terrorism case as a case where the court would be required by subsection 268B(2) or 282B(2) (as inserted by this Act) to impose a serious terrorism sentence, were it not passing a life sentence.
	New subsection (5) and (6) in section 323 direct that the minimum term may be less than 14 years if the court is of the opinion that there are exceptional circumstances which relate to the offence or the offender and justify a lesser period or, if the court considers it appropriate to account for time on remand or tagged bail and if the court had sentenced the offender under section 268B(2) and 282B(2) the effect section 73 (reductions for guilty pleas) and section 74 (reductions for assistance to the prosecution) would have had.