Section 5 amends section 5 of the Sentencing Code (making a deferment order), to substitute new wording in subsection (2) and introduce a new subsection (2A). The combined effect of section 5 is to amend the maximum period in which courts can delay passing a sentence, after a deferment order has been made.
	Subsection (2)(a) sets out that, for offenders convicted of one (or more) offences before the relevant date, a maximum deferment order period of 6 months will continue to apply.
	Subsection (2)(b) sets out that, for offenders convicted of one (or more) offences on or after the relevant date, a maximum deferment order period of 12 months will apply.
	Subsection (3) provides a definition of ‘relevant date,’ being the date that section 5 comes into force.
Part 1: Sentencing Section 5: Date to which passing of sentence may be deferred