Section 263: Concurrent terms, Criminal Justice Act 2003

This section applies where—

a person ("the offender") has been sentenced . . . to two or more terms of imprisonment which are wholly or partly concurrent, and

the sentences were passed on the same occasion or, where they were passed on different occasions, the person has not been released under this Chapter at any time during the period beginning with the first and ending with the last of those occasions.

Where this section applies—

nothing in this Chapter requires the Secretary of State to release the offender in respect of any of the terms unless and until he is required to release him in respect of each of the others,

nothing in this Chapter requires the Secretary of State to refer the offender's case to the Board in respect of any of the terms unless and until the Secretary of State is required either—

to refer the offender's case to the Board, or

to release the offender,

in respect of each of the others,

the offender's release is to be unconditional if section 243A so requires in respect of each of the sentences (and in any other case is to be on licence),

section 246 does not authorise the Secretary of State to release him on licence under that section in respect of any of the terms unless and until that section authorises the Secretary of State to do so in respect of each of the others to which that section applies,

on and after his release under this Chapter (unless that release is unconditional) the offender is to be on licence—

until the last date on which the offender is required to be on licence in respect of any of the terms, and

subject to such conditions as are required by this Chapter in respect of any of the sentences.

Where this section applies, nothing in section 260 authorises the Secretary of State to remove the offender from prison in respect of any of the terms unless and until that section authorises the Secretary of State to do so in respect of each of the others.

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In this section "term of imprisonment" includes a determinate sentence of detention under section 91 or 96 of the PCC(S)A 2000, under section 250, 252A, 254, 262, 265 , 266 or 268A of the Sentencing Code or under section 226A, 226B, 227 , 228 or 236A of this Act.

This section is subject to paragraphs 21, 31 and 32 of Schedule 20B (transitional cases).

Section 263: Concurrent terms

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