England & Wales · 2022
Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022
Protects: Victims of DA-related common assault, controlling/coercive behaviour, stalking; children where positions of trust apply.
Information only. This is not legal advice. Court procedures and the law change. Always confirm with a solicitor, Citizens Advice, or a domestic abuse advocate before acting.
Summary
Removed the 6-month time limit on DA-related common assault charges (now 2 years from offence / 6 months from formal disclosure — whichever earlier), extended the s.76 SCA 2015 coercive control offence to former partners and family members not living together, and tightened sentencing for serious violence.
Key provisions
s.49 — Time limit extension
Common assault / battery involving domestic abuse can now be charged up to 2 years after the offence.
s.68 — Coercive control extension
s.76 SCA 2015 now applies to ex-partners and family members regardless of cohabitation.
Positions of trust
Extends s.21 SOA 2003 to include sports coaches and faith leaders.
What this Act affects
The specific protective court orders and decision points this Act creates or feeds — with the exact statutory section.
Common-assault time limit (DA)
s.49Decision point: charging window extended to 2 years from offence / 6 months from formal disclosure — opens historic DA assaults to prosecution.
Coercive control — ex-partners and non-cohabiting family
s.68Decision point: s.76 SCA 2015 now covers ex-partners and family members regardless of cohabitation — feeds DAPO, restraining order and legal-aid gateway.
- Restraining Order on extended s.76 convictions →
s.68 + s.5 PHA 1997Extended scope means more convictions → more restraining orders.