Latest updates to the Queensland Sentencing Manual
Parity - Parity for like offences - statement of principle
The parity principle, as applied in R v Keen [2024] NSWCCA 157, is not infringed where the prosecution asserted different facts against different co-offenders in the same drug-trafficking syndicate: R v Lloyd [2025] QCA 47 at [10]-[16]. See [11.510].
Detention (juveniles) - Meaning of “particularly heinous offence”
In R v PZW [2025] QSC 39, the proper approach to a “particularly heinous offence” for juvenile offenders under s 176 of the Youth Justice Act 1992 (Qld) was discussed. See [15.1170].
Double jeopardy - General principles
The scope of s 16 of the Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld) applies so that a person cannot be twice punished for the “same act or omission” and has broader application to not just offences that contain common elements: R v CDO [2025] QCA 56. See [17.270].
A detailed summary of this release is forthcoming at [S25.20].
The Queensland Sentencing Manual is a practical resource designed for those involved with sentencing and criminal law in Queensland. Currently authored by Matt Jackson, a Barrister and Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council Member, the service offers: a guide to the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 (Qld) as well as commentary on sentencing orders for juveniles, governing principles of sentencing, factors personal to the offender, plea of guilty, recording a conviction, sentencing hearings and appeals.
The Criminal Law Practice Area on Westlaw has many services that are designed to complement each other to provide the breadth of coverage of a single compendium but with the in-depth analysis that specific focus areas will allow. In addition, the Alert and the reports series will also enable practitioners to keep up to date with pertinent caselaw. When taken in its entirety, the Criminal Law Practice Area will furnish subscribers with a full picture of Criminal Law in the respective jurisdictions without the necessary restrictions of single services. The Criminal Law Noticeboard is specifically geared for specialists in the area and will deliver news items of interest and significance written and curated by in-house editors. To subscribe to the Criminal Law Practice Area on Westlaw, contact Thomson Reuters.
Matt Jackson is a Barrister at 8 Petrie Terrace Chambers and a current member of the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council. His primary practice area is criminal law and he regularly appears in the Court of Appeal in respect of conviction and sentence appeals. He completed a Master of Law which considered the relevance of Aboriginality under the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 (Qld).