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Genocide, Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes

Genocide, Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes

Section 250

Also known as: Genocide, War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity

Legislation

Statute

International Criminal Court Act 2001

Section

Section 51

Life Sentence Eligible

Yes

View on legislation.gov.uk

Classification

violent Schedule15 Part1 Section250 ProgressionExcluded

Classified as a violent offence

Listed in Schedule 15 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003

Part 1 of Schedule 15: Specified violent offences

Eligible for Section 250 youth detention (offenders under 18) - release at 50%

ProgressionExcluded

Release Information

How this offence affects release dates under the Sentencing Act 2026

Standard Release Provisions Apply

This offence does not trigger section 244ZA(7), so standard release rules apply:

Release point now: 40% (two-fifths), or one-half (½) where the sentence is 4 years or more — Schedule 15 Part 1 offences of that length were excluded from the 40% release point
From 1 October 2026: Unchanged. This offence is in the Schedule to SI 2026/953, so it is excluded from the progression model — the release point stays exactly where it is. It does not get longer
Note: The applicable regime depends on sentence date, and people already in custody move across in stages by sentence length

Additional Notes

Imprisonment for life where the offence involves murder, otherwise a maximum of 30 years (section 53 of the Act). Excluded from the progression model by the Schedule to SI 2026/953.

Youth Detention (Section 250)

Special release rules for offenders sentenced when under 18

Section 250 Youth Detention Applies

When this offence is committed by someone under 18 years old, Section 250 of the Sentencing Act 2020 governs their release:

Release point: Halfway (50%) of the custodial term
Not affected by SA 2026: Youth sentences are NOT subject to the one-third release changes. Section 23(10) was not commenced for them (SI 2026/953, regulation 6)
Applies to: Detention in a Young Offender Institution or Secure Training Centre

Learn More About Youth Sentencing