Explanatory Notes

Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

2002 CHAPTER 29

24 July 2002

Commentary on Sections

Part 3: Confiscation: Scotland

Reconsideration

Sections 104-106: Reconsideration

177.Sections 104 and 105 enable a confiscation order to be made where none was made in the original proceedings. Section 10 6 enables a confiscation order which has already been made to be increased. In all cases application must be made to the court in which the original hearings took place within six years of the original conviction. Section 104 applies where no confiscation hearing was held after the original conviction.Section 105 applies where a hearing was held, the court decided that the accused had a criminal lifestyle but had not benefited from his general criminal conduct or that he did not have a criminal lifestyle and had not benefited from his particular criminal conduct. Section 106 applies where a confiscation order has already been made. It may be used to increase the amount payable under a confiscation order on one or more occasions. The sections reproduce, with some changes, provision in the earlier confiscation legislation. The principle underlying sections 105 and 106 is that the prosecutor should only apply for a reconsideration where new evidence comes to light. It is not appropriate for the prosecutor to have evidence at the time of the earlier proceedings, not to apply for a confiscation order on that occasion but to apply for a reconsideration at a later date.