Concerns among some Judges over the unintended consequences of sentencing reforms

The Government's introducing changes to lengthen sentences for some crimes - including creating a new aggravating factor and limiting sentencing discounts.

Law Society Criminal Law Committee Convenor Chris Macklin says some Judges worry certain areas of offending might be less accurately reported with tougher sentencing.

And he says there's fear the changes could undermine the restorative and rehabilitative purposes of sentencing.

He says it's also by no means clear that tougher sentences deter some of the crimes the Government's talking about.