Part 1: Sentencing of terrorist offenders Section 14: Minimum custodial period for serious terrorism offenders sentenced to indeterminate custodial sentences: Northern Ireland
Section 14 amends Article 13 of the 2008 Order which governs the minimum length of the custodial term to be given in indeterminate custodial sentences for offenders aged 18 and over after the commencement of this Act. It requires that where an indeterminate custodial sentence is given to an offender who would otherwise be sentenced to a serious terrorism sentence, the minimum custodial period must be at least 14 years, adjusted for time spent on remand or tagged bail. This is to ensure consistency in the minimum term imposed on those convicted of serious terrorism offences.
	Section 14(2) and (3) insert paragraphs (3A) to (3E) to Article 13 of the 2008 Order. New paragraph 3A specifies that a serious terrorism case specified under (3)(b) must be at least 14 years, subject to paragraphs (3C) to (3E).
	New paragraph (3B) defines a serious terrorism case as a case where the court would be required by Article 13A (as inserted by this Act) to impose a serious terrorism sentence, were it not passing an indeterminate custodial sentence.
	New paragraph (3C) provides for the court to specify a lesser period for the custodial period than the minimum of 14 years where the court considers it appropriate to take into account a guilty plea in accordance with Article 33(1) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 1996, as long as the custodial term is no less than 11 years and 73 days.
	New paragraph (3D) provides for the court to give a lesser period than the 14-year minimum if it consider it appropriate, in accordance with section 73(2) of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, where the offender has given assistance to the prosecution.
	New paragraph (3E) provides for the court to specify a period of less than 14 years where it finds there are exceptional circumstances that relate to the offence or the offender.