Civil Powers & POCA - An Update on Account Freezing & Forfeiture

Introduction

Account freezing and forfeiture orders continue to have a significant impact on the disruption of allegedly suspicious funds. Latest government statistics released in September 2024 show that in the financial year ending March 2024 more than £100 million was recovered through civil forfeiture orders in the Magistrates’ Court. Nearly £900 million of assets were also restrained, seized, or frozen, representing a 55% jump from the previous year.

As freezing and forfeiture orders continue to rise, a series of cases have tested the practical operation of the Magistrates’ Court’s powers and further statutory provisions added to the Proceeds of Crime Act to bolster the regime. There is no classic type of account freezing case and applications have been pursued against businesses of all sizes as well as individuals without any previous criminal record. It is important to keep up to date.

What You Will Learn

This webinar will cover the following:

• The tactical decisions to be made when your client is suddenly faced with a freezing order
• Recent POCA provisions presenting a route for third parties such as victims to recover funds
• Key cases
• Opportunities for negotiation
• Challenging a forfeiture order in court

This pre-recorded webinar will be available to view from Thursday 4th September 2025

Alternatively, you can gain access to this webinar and 1,700+ others via the MBL Webinar Subscription. Please email webinarsubscription@mblseminars.com for more details.