Require automatic Whole Life Orders for premeditated murder

Amend the Sentencing Act 2020 to require courts to impose an automatic Whole Life Order for any conviction of proven premeditated murder, without setting a minimum term for parole eligibility, except where diminished responsibility or mental incapacity is established.

This petition was rejected on 27th Mar 2026 for not being a Government or Parliamentary matter

The Petition Committee commented:
Your petition is about something that the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament is responsible for. That means that the UK Government and Parliament can't look into it. The Scottish Parliament has its own Public Petitions Committee. If you'd like to send your petition to the Scottish Parliament, you can find out more here: https://petitions.parliament.scot/ You may also wish to contact your local council and MSP who represent you about this issue. You can find the name of your local council and how to contact them here: https://www.mygov.scot/find-your-local-council You can find the name of your local MSP and how to contact them here: https://www.parliament.scot/msps

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Official Petition Site

Although murder carries a life sentence, courts currently set a minimum term before parole eligibility. In cases of clearly proven planning and deliberate intent, there should be no minimum term set. An automatic Whole Life Order would ensure consistency, reflect the gravity of premeditated homicide, and strengthen public confidence in the justice system.