Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

[F1 303Z2 Restrictions on making of application under section 303Z1 U.K.

(1) The power to apply for an account freezing order is not exercisable if the money in relation to which the enforcement officer's suspicion exists is less in amount than the minimum amount.

(2) An enforcement officer may not apply for an account freezing order unless the officer is a senior officer or is authorised to do so by a senior officer.

(3) The power to apply for an account freezing order is not exercisable by an SFO officer, or by an accredited financial investigator, in relation to an account maintained with a branch of a [F2 relevant financial institution] that is in Scotland.

(4) For the purposes of this Chapter, a “senior officer” is —

(a) an officer of Revenue and Customs of a rank designated by the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs as equivalent to that of a senior police officer,

(b) a senior police officer,

(c) the Director of the Serious Fraud Office,

(d) the Director General of the National Crime Agency or any other National Crime Agency officer authorised by the Director General (whether generally or specifically) for this purpose, or

(e) an accredited financial investigator who falls within a description specified in an order made for the purposes of this Chapter by the Secretary of State [F3 or the Welsh Ministers] under section 453.

(5) In subsection (4), a “senior police officer” means a police officer of at least the rank of inspector.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Pt. 5 Ch. 3B inserted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 30.1.2018 for the insertion of ss. 303Z2(4), 303Z10 for E.W.S. so far as not already in force, 31.1.2018 for E.W.S. in so far as not already in force, 28.6.2021 for N.I. in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), ss. 16, 58(1)(6) (as amended (N.I.) on IP completion day (in accordance with 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)) by S.I. 2019/742, regs. 1, 109(3)); S.I. 2018/78, regs. 2(b), 3(d); S.I. 2021/724, reg. 2(1)(g)

F2 Words in s. 303Z2(3) substituted (retrospectively) by Financial Services Act 2021 (c. 22), s. 33(2)(3), Sch. 12 para. 15 (with s. 33(4))

F3 Words in s. 303Z2(4)(e) inserted (E.W.) (20.7.2018) by The Tax Collection and Management (Wales) Act 2016 (Supplemental Provision) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/768), regs. 1(2), 2(f)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 5 Ch. 3B applied (31.1.2018 for E.W.S. in so far as not already in force, 27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 28.6.2021 for N.I. in so far as not already in force) by 2007 c. 30, s. 24(1) (as substituted by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), ss. 21(3), 58(1)(6); S.I. 2018/78, reg. 3(f); S.I. 2021/724, reg. 2(1)(i))

C2 S. 303Z2(4)(e) modified by S.I. 2018/196, Sch. para. 11C (as inserted (E.W.) (20.7.2018) by The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (References to Welsh Revenue Authority Financial Investigators) (Amendment) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/767), arts. 1(2), 2(3)(a))