Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

Enforcement as fines etcE+W

35 [F1Enforcement as fines ]E+W

(1)This section applies if a court—

(a)makes a confiscation order, and

F2(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)Sections [F3139(2), (3)] and (9) and 140(1) to (4) of the Sentencing Act (functions of court as to fines and enforcing fines) apply as if the amount ordered to be paid were a fine imposed on the defendant by the court making the confiscation order.

[F4(2A)Where a court is fixing a term of imprisonment or detention under section 139(2) of the Sentencing Act (as applied by subsection (2) above) in respect of an amount ordered to be paid under a confiscation order, the maximum terms are those specified in the second column of the Table for amounts described in the corresponding entry in the first column.

TABLE
AmountMaximum term
£10,000 or less6 months
More than £10,000 but no more than £500,0005 years
More than £500,000 but no more than £1 million7 years
More than £1 million14 years

(2B)In the application of subsection (9) of section 139 of the Sentencing Act by virtue of subsection (2) above, the reference to subsections (2) to (4) of that section is to be read as a reference to—

(a)subsections (2) and (3) of that section, and

(b)subsection (2A) above.

(2C)The Secretary of State may by order—

(a)amend subsection (2A) so as to provide for minimum terms of imprisonment or detention under section 139(2) of the Sentencing Act (as applied by subsection (2) above) in respect of amounts ordered to be paid under a confiscation order;

(b)amend the Table in subsection (2A) so as to remove, alter or replace any entry (including an entry inserted by virtue of the power in paragraph (a) of this subsection) or to add any entry.]

(3)In the application of Part 3 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (c. 43) to an amount payable under a confiscation order—

(a)ignore section 75 of that Act (power to dispense with immediate payment);

(b)such an amount is not a sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction for the purposes of section 81 (enforcement of fines imposed on young offenders) or a fine for the purposes of section 85 (remission of fines) of that Act;

(c)in section 87 of that Act ignore subsection (3) (inquiry into means).

Textual Amendments

F2S. 35(1)(b) and preceding word repealed (1.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), s. 94(1), Sch. 8 para. 19(3), Sch. 14; S.I. 2008/755, art. 2(1)(a)(d) (with arts. 3-14)

F4S. 35(2A)-(2C) inserted (1.6.2015) by Serious Crime Act 2015 (c. 9), ss. 10(1), 88(1); S.I. 2015/820, reg. 3(g)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I1S. 35 in force at 24.3.2003 by S.I. 2003/333, art. 2, Sch.

F536 Director appointed as enforcement authorityE+W

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Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I2S. 36 in force at 24.3.2003 by S.I. 2003/333, art. 2, Sch.

F637 Director’s application for enforcementE+W

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Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I3S. 37 in force at 24.3.2003 by S.I. 2003/333, art. 2, Sch.

38 Provisions about imprisonment or detentionE+W

(1)Subsection (2) applies if—

(a)a warrant committing the defendant to prison or detention is issued for a default in payment of an amount ordered to be paid under a confiscation order in respect of an offence or offences, and

(b)at the time the warrant is issued the defendant is liable to serve a term of custody in respect of the offence (or any of the offences).

(2)In such a case the term of imprisonment or of detention under section 108 of the Sentencing Act (detention of persons aged 18 to 20 for default) to be served in default of payment of the amount does not begin to run until after the term mentioned in subsection (1)(b) above.

(3)The reference in subsection (1)(b) to the term of custody the defendant is liable to serve in respect of the offence (or any of the offences) is a reference to the term of imprisonment, or detention in a young offender institution, which he is liable to serve in respect of the offence (or any of the offences).

(4)For the purposes of subsection (3) consecutive terms and terms which are wholly or partly concurrent must be treated as a single term and the following must be ignored—

(a)any sentence suspended under [F7section 189(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003] which has not taken effect at the time the warrant is issued;

(b)in the case of a sentence of imprisonment passed with an order under section 47(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45) (sentences of imprisonment partly served and partly suspended) any part of the sentence which the defendant has not at that time been required to serve in prison;

(c)any term of imprisonment or detention fixed under section 139(2) of the Sentencing Act (term to be served in default of payment of fine etc) for which a warrant committing the defendant to prison or detention has not been issued at that time.

(5)If the defendant serves a term of imprisonment or detention in default of paying any amount due under a confiscation order, his serving that term does not prevent the confiscation order from continuing to have effect so far as any other method of enforcement is concerned.

Textual Amendments

F7Words in s. 38(4)(a) substituted (4.4.2005) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), s. 336(3)(4), Sch. 32 para. 141; S.I. 2005/950, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 42(38) (with Sch. 2) (as explained (29.7.2005) by S.I. 2005/2122, art. 2; and as amended: (14.7.2008) by 2008 c. 4, Sch. 26 para. 78, Sch. 28 Pt. 2; S.I. 2008/1586, Sch. 1 paras. 48(s), 50(2)(d); (30.11.2009) by S.I. 2009/3111, art. 2; (3.12.2012) by S.I. 2012/2905, art. 4; (3.12.2012) by 2012 c. 10, Sch. 14 para. 17; S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(l))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I4S. 38 in force at 24.3.2003 by S.I. 2003/333, art. 2, Sch.

39 Reconsideration etc: variation of prison termE+W

(1)Subsection (2) applies if—

(a)a court varies a confiscation order under section 21, 22, 23, 29, 32 or 33,

(b)the effect of the variation is to vary the maximum period applicable in relation to the order under section 139(4) of the Sentencing Act, and

(c)the result is that that maximum period is less than the term of imprisonment or detention fixed in respect of the order under section 139(2) of the Sentencing Act.

(2)In such a case the court must fix a reduced term of imprisonment or detention in respect of the confiscation order under section 139(2) of the Sentencing Act in place of the term previously fixed.

(3)Subsection (4) applies if paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) apply but paragraph (c) does not.

(4)In such a case the court may amend the term of imprisonment or detention fixed in respect of the confiscation order under section 139(2) of the Sentencing Act.

(5)If the effect of section 12 is to increase the maximum period applicable in relation to a confiscation order under section 139(4) of the Sentencing Act, on the application of the [F8prosecutor] the Crown Court may amend the term of imprisonment or detention fixed in respect of the order under section 139(2) of that Act.

F9(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I5S. 39 in force at 24.3.2003 by S.I. 2003/333, art. 2, Sch.