Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

[F1 Enforcement: money, cryptoassets and personal property] N.I.

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 215 cross-heading substituted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 26.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(2)(b)(5)(a), Sch. 8 para. 52; S.R. 2024/82, art. 2

215 [F2 Money] N.I.

(1) This section applies to money which—

(a) is held by a person, and

(b) is held in an account maintained by him with a [F3 relevant financial institution].

(2) This section also applies to money which is held by a person and which—

[F4 (a) has been seized under a relevant seizure power by a constable or another person lawfully exercising the power, and

(b) is being detained in connection with a criminal investigation or prosecution or with an investigation of a kind mentioned in section 341.]

[F5 (2A) But this section applies to money only so far as the money is free property.]

F6 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F7 (5) If—

(a) a confiscation order is made against a person holding money to which this section applies, and

(b) a receiver has not been appointed under section 198 in relation to the money,

a magistrates' court may order the [F8 appropriate person] to pay the money to the appropriate chief clerk on account of the amount payable under the confiscation order.]

[F9 (5A) [F10 Where this section applies to money which is held in an account maintained with [F11 a relevant financial institution],] a person applying for an order under subsection (5) must give notice of the application to [F12 the relevant financial institution] with which the account is held.

(5B) In the case of money held in an account not maintained by the person against whom the confiscation order is made, a magistrates' court—

(a) may make an order under subsection (5) only if the extent of the person's interest in the money has been determined under section 160A, and

(b) must have regard to that determination in deciding what is the appropriate order to make.]

(6) If a [F13 relevant financial institution] fails to comply with an order under subsection (5)—

(a) the magistrates’ court may order it to pay an amount not exceeding £5,000, and

(b) for the purposes of the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I. 26)) the sum is to be treated as adjudged to be paid by a conviction of the magistrates’ court.

(7) In order to take account of changes in the value of money the [F14 Department of Justice in Northern Ireland] may by order substitute another sum for the sum for the time being specified in subsection (6)(a).

[F15 (7A) The Department of Justice in Northern Ireland may by order amend this section so that it applies [F16 by virtue of subsection (1)] not only to money held in an account maintained with a [F17 relevant financial institution] but also to—

(a) money held in an account maintained with a financial institution of a specified kind, or

(b) money that is represented by, or may be obtained from, a financial instrument or product of a specified kind.

(7B) An order under subsection (7A) may amend this section so that it makes provision about realising an instrument or product within subsection (7A)(b) or otherwise obtaining money from it.]

[F18 (8) In this section—

• “appropriate chief clerk” has the same meaning as in section 202(7);

• “appropriate person” means—

  (a)

  in a case where the money is held in an account maintained with [F19 a relevant financial institution, the relevant financial institution];

  (b)

  in any other case, the person on whose authority the money is detained;

• “bank” means an authorised deposit-taker, other than a building society, that has its head office or a branch in the United Kingdom;

• “building society” has the same meaning as in the Building Societies Act 1986;

• [F20 “electronic money institution” has the same meaning as in the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/99) (see regulation 2 of those Regulations);]

• [F20 “payment institution” means an authorised payment institution or a small payment institution (each as defined in regulation 2 of the Payment Services Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/752));]

• [F20 “relevant financial institution” means a bank, a building society, an electronic money institution or a payment institution;]

• “relevant seizure power” means a power to seize money conferred by or by virtue of—

  (a)

  a warrant granted under any enactment or rule of law, or

  (b)

  any enactment, or rule of law, under which the authority of a warrant is not required.]

[F21 (9) In the definition of “bank” in subsection (8), “authorised deposit-taker” means—

(a) a person who has permission under Part 4A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 to accept deposits;

(b) a person who—

(i) is specified, or is within a class of persons specified, by an order under section 38 of that Act (exemption orders), and

(ii) accepts deposits;

(c) an EEA firm of the kind mentioned in paragraph 5(b) of Schedule 3 to that Act that has permission under paragraph 15 of that Schedule (as a result of qualifying for authorisation under paragraph 12(1) of that Schedule) to accept deposits.

(10) A reference in subsection (9) to a person or firm with permission to accept deposits does not include a person or firm with permission to do so only for the purposes of, or in the course of, an activity other than accepting deposits.]

Textual Amendments

F2 S. 215 heading substituted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 26.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(2)(b)(5)(a), Sch. 8 para. 47(7); S.R. 2024/82, art. 2

F3 Words in s. 215(1)(b) substituted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 26.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(2)(b)(5)(a), Sch. 8 para. 47(2); S.R. 2024/82, art. 2

F4 S. 215(2)(a)(b) substituted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 28.6.2021 in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), ss. 27(2), 58(3)(6); S.R. 2021/167, reg. 2(a)

F5 S. 215(2A) inserted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 28.6.2021 in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), ss. 27(3), 58(3)(6); S.R. 2021/167, reg. 2(a)

F6 S. 215(3) omitted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 28.6.2021 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), ss. 27(4), 58(3)(6); S.R. 2021/167, reg. 2(a)

F7 S. 215(5) substituted for s. 215(4)(5) (1.6.2015) by Serious Crime Act 2015 (c. 9), ss. 36(1), 88(3)(a); S.R. 2015/190, reg. 3(1)(j)

F8 Words in s. 215(5) substituted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 28.6.2021 in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), ss. 27(5), 58(3)(6); S.R. 2021/167, reg. 2(a)

F9 S. 215(5A)(5B) inserted (1.6.2015) by Serious Crime Act 2015 (c. 9), ss. 36(2), 88(3)(a); S.R. 2015/190, reg. 3(1)(j)

F10 Words in s. 215(5A) inserted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 28.6.2021 in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), ss. 27(6), 58(3)(6); S.R. 2021/167, reg. 2(a)

F11 Words in s. 215(5A) substituted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 26.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(2)(b)(5)(a), Sch. 8 para. 47(3)(a); S.R. 2024/82, art. 2

F12 Words in s. 215(5A) substituted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 26.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(2)(b)(5)(a), Sch. 8 para. 47(3)(b); S.R. 2024/82, art. 2

F13 Words in s. 215(6) substituted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 26.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(2)(b)(5)(a), Sch. 8 para. 47(4); S.R. 2024/82, art. 2

F14 Words in s. 215(7) substituted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 14 para. 50 (with arts. 28-31)

F15 S. 215(7A)(7B) inserted (1.6.2015) by Serious Crime Act 2015 (c. 9), ss. 36(3), 88(3)(a); S.R. 2015/190, reg. 3(1)(j)

F16 Words in s. 215(7A) inserted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 28.6.2021 in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), ss. 27(7), 58(3)(6); S.R. 2021/167, reg. 2(a)

F17 Words in s. 215(7A) substituted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 26.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(2)(b)(5)(a), Sch. 8 para. 47(5); S.R. 2024/82, art. 2

F18 S. 215(8) substituted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 28.6.2021 in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), ss. 27(8), 58(3)(6); S.R. 2021/167, reg. 2(a)

F19 Words in s. 215(8) substituted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 26.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(2)(b)(5)(a), Sch. 8 para. 47(6)(a); S.R. 2024/82, art. 2

F20 Words in s. 215(8) inserted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 26.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(2)(b)(5)(a), Sch. 8 para. 47(6)(b); S.R. 2024/82, art. 2

F21 S. 215(9)(10) inserted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 28.6.2021 in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), ss. 27(9), 58(3)(6) (as amended (N.I.) on exit day by S.I. 2019/742, regs. 1, 109(4)); S.R. 2021/167, reg. 2(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 4 applied by S.I. 1989/1341 (N.I. 12), arts. 57(5B), 59(8B) (as substituted (24.3.2003) by Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c. 29), Supreme Court s. 458(1), Sch. 11 para. 19(2)(3); S.I. 2003/333, art. 2, Sch.)

Commencement Information

I1 S. 215 in force at 24.3.2003 by S.I. 2003/333, art. 2, Sch.

[F22 215ZA Cryptoassets N.I.

(1) This section applies to cryptoassets which—

(a) are held by a person, and

(b) are held in a crypto wallet administered by a UK-connected cryptoasset service provider,

but only so far as the cryptoassets are free property.

(2) Subsection (3) applies if—

(a) a confiscation order is made against a person holding cryptoassets to which this section applies, and

(b) a receiver has not been appointed under section 198 in relation to the cryptoassets.

(3) A magistrates’ court may order the UK-connected cryptoasset service provider which administers the crypto wallet in which the cryptoassets are held—

(a) to realise the cryptoassets, or a portion of the cryptoassets having a specified value,

(b) to pay the proceeds of that realisation to the appropriate chief clerk on account of, and up to a maximum of, the amount payable under the confiscation order, and

(c) to the extent that the proceeds of the realisation exceed the amount payable under the confiscation order, to pay the excess to an appropriate officer identified in the order.

(4) In subsection (3)—

• “appropriate chief clerk” has the same meaning as in section 202(7);

• “appropriate officer” has the same meaning as in section 195A.

(5) A person applying for an order under subsection (3) must give notice of the application to the UK-connected cryptoasset service provider.

(6) Where the crypto wallet in which the cryptoassets are held is administered on behalf of someone other than the person against whom the confiscation order is made, a magistrates’ court—

(a) may make an order under subsection (3) only if the extent of the person’s interest in the money has been determined under section 160A, and

(b) must have regard to that determination in deciding what is the appropriate order to make.

(7) If a UK-connected cryptoasset service provider fails to comply with an order under subsection (3)—

(a) the magistrates’ court may order it to pay an amount not exceeding £5,000, and

(b) for the purposes of the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I. 26)) the sum is to be treated as adjudged to be paid by a conviction of the court.

(8) In order to take account of changes in the value of money the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland may by order substitute another sum for the sum for the time being specified in subsection (7)(a).

(9) Where a UK-connected cryptoasset service provider—

(a) is required by an order under subsection (3) to realise a portion of cryptoassets having a specified value, but

(b) on realising cryptoassets under the order, obtains proceeds of an amount which differs from that value,

it does not fail to comply with the order solely because of that difference in value, provided that it took reasonable steps to obtain proceeds equal to the value specified.

Textual Amendments

F22 Ss. 215ZA, 215ZB inserted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 26.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(2)(b)(5)(a), Sch. 8 para. 48; S.R. 2024/82, art. 2

215ZB Meaning of “UK-connected cryptoasset service provider” N.I.

(1) “UK-connected cryptoasset service provider” in section 215ZA means a cryptoasset service provider which—

(a) is acting in the course of business carried on by it in the United Kingdom,

(b) has terms and conditions with the persons to whom it provides services which provide for a legal dispute to be litigated in the courts of a part of the United Kingdom,

(c) holds in the United Kingdom any data relating to the persons to whom it provides services, or

(d) meets the condition in subsection (2).

(2) The condition in this subsection is that—

(a) the cryptoasset service provider has its registered office or, if it does not have one, its head office in the United Kingdom, and

(b) the day-to-day management of the provider’s business is the responsibility of that office or another establishment maintained by it in the United Kingdom.

(3) “Cryptoasset service provider” in subsections (1) and (2) includes a cryptoasset exchange provider and a custodian wallet provider; and for this purpose—

• “cryptoasset exchange provider” means a firm or sole practitioner who by way of business provides one or more of the following services, including where the firm or sole practitioner does so as creator or issuer of any of the cryptoassets involved—

  (a)

  exchanging, or arranging or making arrangements with a view to the exchange of, cryptoassets for money or money for cryptoassets;

  (b)

  exchanging, or arranging or making arrangements with a view to the exchange of, one cryptoasset for another;

  (c)

  operating a machine which utilises automated processes to exchange cryptoassets for money or money for cryptoassets;

• “custodian wallet provider” means a firm or sole practitioner who by way of business provides services to safeguard, or to safeguard and administer—

  (a)

  cryptoassets on behalf of its customers, or

  (b)

  private cryptographic keys on behalf of its customers in order to hold, store and transfer cryptoassets.

(4) In the definition of “cryptoasset exchange provider” in subsection (3), “cryptoasset” includes a right to, or interest in, a cryptoasset.

(5) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend the definitions in subsection (3) (including by amending subsection (4)).

(6) The Secretary of State must consult the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland before making regulations under subsection (5).]

Textual Amendments

F22 Ss. 215ZA, 215ZB inserted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 26.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(2)(b)(5)(a), Sch. 8 para. 48; S.R. 2024/82, art. 2

[F23 215A Seized personal property N.I.

(1) This section applies to personal property which is held by a person and which—

(a) has been seized by an appropriate officer under a relevant seizure power, or

(b) has been produced to an appropriate officer in compliance with a production order under section 345.

(2) This section applies if the following conditions are satisfied—

(a) a confiscation order is made against the person by whom the property is held;

(b) a receiver has not been appointed under section 198 in relation to the property;

(c) any period allowed under section 161 for payment of the amount ordered to be paid under the confiscation order has ended.

(3) In such a case a magistrates' court may by order authorise an appropriate officer to realise the property.

(4) In this section “appropriate officer” and “relevant seizure power” have the same meaning as in section 190A.

Textual Amendments

F23 Ss. 215A-215D inserted (1.3.2016) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 60(2), 116(1); S.I. 2016/147, art. 3(c)

[F24 215AA Destruction of seized cryptoassets N.I.

(1) This section applies to cryptoassets which are held by a person and which have been seized by an appropriate officer under a relevant seizure power.

(2) A magistrates’ court may by order authorise an appropriate officer to destroy the cryptoassets if—

(a) a confiscation order is made against the person by whom the cryptoassets are held,

(b) a receiver has not been appointed under section 198 in relation to the cryptoassets, and

(c) either—

(i) it is not reasonably practicable to realise the cryptoassets, or

(ii) there are reasonable grounds to believe that the realisation of the cryptoassets would be contrary to the public interest, having regard in particular to how likely it is that the entry of the cryptoassets into general circulation would facilitate criminal conduct by any person.

(3) An order under this section—

(a) must set out the court’s assessment of the market value of the cryptoassets to which it relates;

(b) may authorise the destruction of cryptoassets only to the extent that their market value, as set out in the order, is less than or equal to the amount remaining to be paid under the confiscation order.

(4) Before making an order under this section, the court must give persons who hold interests in the cryptoassets a reasonable opportunity to make representations to it.

(5) If cryptoassets held by a person are destroyed following an order under this section, the person is to be treated as having paid, towards satisfaction of the confiscation order, an amount equal to the market value, as set out in the order, of the cryptoassets which have been destroyed.

(6) In this section “appropriate officer” and “relevant seizure power” have the same meaning as in section 190A.]

Textual Amendments

F23 Ss. 215A-215D inserted (1.3.2016) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 60(2), 116(1); S.I. 2016/147, art. 3(c)

F24 S. 215AA inserted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 26.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(2)(b)(5)(a), Sch. 8 para. 49; S.R. 2024/82, art. 2

215B Costs of storage and realisation N.I.

(1) This section applies if a magistrates' court makes an order under section 215A.

(2) The court may determine an amount which may be recovered by the appropriate officer in respect of reasonable costs incurred in—

(a) storing or insuring the property since it was seized or produced as mentioned in subsection (1) of that section;

(b) realising the property.

(3) If the court makes a determination under this section the appropriate officer is entitled to payment of the amount under section 203(4).

(4) A determination under this section may be made on the same occasion as the section 215A order or on any later occasion; and more than one determination may be made in relation to any case.

(5) In this section “appropriate officer” has the same meaning as in section 190A.

Textual Amendments

F23 Ss. 215A-215D inserted (1.3.2016) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 60(2), 116(1); S.I. 2016/147, art. 3(c)

215C Sections [F25 215ZA to] 215B: appeals N.I.

(1) If a magistrates' court decides not to make an order under section [F26 215ZA(3), 215A(3) or 215AA(2)], an appropriate officer may appeal to a county court.

(2) If a magistrates' court makes an order under section [F27 215ZA(3), 215A(3) or 215AA(2)], a person affected by the order may appeal to a county court.

(3) But the person mentioned in section [F28 215ZA(2)(a), 215A(2)(a) or 215AA(2)(a) (as applicable)] may not appeal.

(4) An appropriate officer may appeal to a county court against—

(a) a determination made by a magistrates' court under section 215B;

(b) a decision by a magistrates' court not to make a determination under that section.

(5) In this section “appropriate officer” has the same meaning as in section 190A.

Textual Amendments

F23 Ss. 215A-215D inserted (1.3.2016) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 60(2), 116(1); S.I. 2016/147, art. 3(c)

F25 Words in s. 215C heading substituted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 26.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(2)(b)(5)(a), Sch. 8 para. 50(5); S.R. 2024/82, art. 2

F26 Words in s. 215C(1) substituted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 26.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(2)(b)(5)(a), Sch. 8 para. 50(2); S.R. 2024/82, art. 2

F27 Words in s. 215C(2) substituted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 26.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(2)(b)(5)(a), Sch. 8 para. 50(3); S.R. 2024/82, art. 2

F28 Words in s. 215C(3) substituted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 26.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(2)(b)(5)(a), Sch. 8 para. 50(4); S.R. 2024/82, art. 2

215D Proceeds of realisation N.I.

(1) This section applies to sums which—

(a) are in the hands of an appropriate officer, and

(b) are the proceeds of the realisation of property under section [F29 215ZA or] 215A.

(2) The sums must be applied as follows—

(a) first, they must be applied in payment of such expenses incurred by a person acting as an insolvency practitioner as are payable under this subsection by virtue of section 432;

(b) second, they must be applied in making any payments directed by the magistrates' court or Crown Court;

(c) third, they must be paid to the appropriate chief clerk on account of the amount payable under the confiscation order.

(3) If the amount payable under the confiscation order has been fully paid and any sums remain in the appropriate officer's hands, the appropriate officer must distribute them—

(a) among such persons who held (or hold) interests in the property represented by the proceeds as the magistrates' court or Crown Court directs, and

(b) in such proportions as it directs.

(4) Before making a direction under subsection (3) the court must give persons who held (or hold) interests in the property a reasonable opportunity to make representations to it.

(5) If the magistrates' court has made a direction under subsection (2)(b) or (3) in respect of the proceeds of realisation of any property, the Crown Court may not make a direction under either of those provisions in respect of the proceeds of realisation of that property; and vice versa.

(6) In this section—

• “appropriate officer” has the same meaning as in section 190A, and

• “appropriate chief clerk” has the same meaning as in section 202(7).]

Textual Amendments

F23 Ss. 215A-215D inserted (1.3.2016) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 60(2), 116(1); S.I. 2016/147, art. 3(c)

F29 Words in s. 215D(1)(b) inserted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 26.4.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(2)(b)(5)(a), Sch. 8 para. 51; S.R. 2024/82, art. 2