Paragraph 1 of Schedule 3 confirms that section 224A of the Armed Forces Act 2006, which governs special custodial sentences for offenders of particular concern (SOPC), is amended in line with paragraphs 2 to 9 of Schedule 3.
	Paragraphs 2 and 3 make technical amendments which update references in subsection (1)(b) of section 224A (both pre- and post-substitution by the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021). They expand the scope of listed offences to include those in both Part 1 and Part 2 of Schedule 13 to the Sentencing Code.
	Paragraph 4 revises the introductory wording of subsection (1A), clarifying that the SOPC regime does not apply in certain circumstances.
	Paragraph 5 inserts a new subsection (1B) into section 224A to extend the SOPC regime to additional cases under service law. It applies where an adult is convicted by the Court Martial of a qualifying offence on or after the commencement of paragraph 5. Qualifying offences include those linked to national security (as defined in Part 3 of Schedule 13 to the Sentencing Code) and offences involving foreign power influence, provided the specified sentencing thresholds are not met. The provision also ensures that the regime applies to offences committed by offenders under the age of 18, where the offence was committed on or after the relevant commencement date.
	Paragraph 6 updates subsection (1B)(c) of section 224A to reflect the introduction of serious terrorism sentences under the Sentencing Code. Specifically, it adds a new sub-paragraph (iii), ensuring that where such a sentence is imposed under section 268A or 282A (as applied in service law), the SOPC regime does not apply. This mirrors the approach in civilian law and ensures that the most serious terrorism cases are dealt with under the appropriate sentencing framework.
	Paragraphs 7 and 8 make consequential amendments to subsections (3) and (3A) of section 224A. They ensure that references to subsection (1B) are properly integrated into the existing statutory structure.
	Paragraph 9 introduces a transitional provision designed to manage potential sequencing issues between the commencement of related legislation. If paragraph 6(a)(ii) of Schedule 8 to the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 comes into force before paragraph 2 of this Schedule, paragraph 2 is to be disregarded.
	Paragraph 10 signals amendments to section 224B of the Armed Forces Act 2006, which was originally inserted by the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021. The details of those amendments are set out in the following paragraphs (11 to 13).
	Paragraph 11 introduces a new subsection (1A) into section 224B of the Armed Forces Act 2006, extending the SOPC regime to certain offenders under the age of 18 convicted by the Court Martial. It applies where the offence is either:
a criminal conduct offence corresponding to a national security-related offence in Part 3 of Schedule 13 to the Sentencing Code (excluding paragraph 18), or
an indictable offence (not carrying a mandatory life sentence) where the foreign power condition is met under section 69A.
	This provision ensures that, where neither a life sentence nor an extended sentence is imposed, but a custodial sentence would otherwise be appropriate, the SOPC framework applies. This aligns service law with the evolving approach to serious youth offending in the civilian system, particularly in terrorism or foreign power-related case
	Paragraphs 12 and 13 make consequential amendments to subsections (2) and (5) of section 224B, ensuring that references to the new subsection (1A) are properly integrated.
	Paragraph 14 updates Schedule 26 to the Sentencing Act 2020, which deals with the future abolition of detention in a young offender institution. It makes three targeted amendments to subsection (1B)(c) of section 224A (as inserted by this Act), refining the terminology to reflect the shift away from "custody" and "detention" in favour of "imprisonment" alone. These changes ensure that the statutory language remains accurate and future-proofed as sentencing practice evolves.
Part 1: Sentencing Schedule 3: Corresponding provision about sentencing under service law: sentences for offenders of particular concern