The standard scale is a system whereby financial criminal penalties (fines) in legislation have maximum levels set against a standard scale. Then, when inflation makes it necessary to increase the levels of the fines the legislators need to modify only the scale rather than each individual piece of legislation.
In English law, the reference in legislation will typically appear like so:
... liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale, or both.
—Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, section 61(4)
Read more about Standard Scale: Further Reading
Famous quotes containing the words standard and/or scale:
“Neither I nor anyone else knows what a standard is. We all recognize a dishonorable act, but have no idea what honor is.”
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“I own I never really warmed
To the reformer or reformed.
And yet conversion has its place
Not halfway down the scale of grace.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)