SECTION 51 — Concurrent Sentences the Rule

(1) Where any person is convicted on several charges of felony or misdemeanour tried jointly, or of simple offence tried with either, only one sentence may be passed, not exceeding the maximum prescribed for the most severely punished offence. (2) Where any person is convicted on several such charges tried separately, any sentence later passed may be ordered to run concurrently with, or in the case of fines to be merged in, any earlier sentence; and where it is not so ordered, the aggregate of the sentences may not exceed the maximum prescribed for the most severely punished offence. (3) In the calculation of such aggregate an earlier sentence reduced by remission shall be counted at its reduced and not at its original length. (4) No sentence may be ordered to run concurrently with, or to be merged in, a sentence which had already become final before the act or omission in respect of which the second sentence is passed. (5) In respect of simple offences sentences shall not be concurrent or merged unless the court shall so order. (6) Subject to any contrary order of the court, several sentences other than to principal penalties shall be consecutive as between themselves.