Search Legislation

Advanced Search

Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

Status:

Point in time view as at 01/10/2009.

Changes to legislation:

Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, Chapter 2 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 01 December 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Changes and effects yet to be applied by the editorial team are only applicable when viewing the latest version or prospective version of legislation. They are therefore not accessible when viewing legislation as at a specific point in time. To view the ‘Changes to Legislation’ information for this provision return to the latest version view using the options provided in the ‘What Version’ box above.

Chapter 2E+W+N.I.England and Wales and Northern Ireland

Judges and courtsE+W+N.I.

343 JudgesE+W+N.I.

(1)In this Chapter references to a judge in relation to an application must be construed in accordance with this section.

(2)In relation to an application for the purposes of a confiscation investigation or a money laundering investigation a judge is—

(a)in England and Wales, a judge entitled to exercise the jurisdiction of the Crown Court;

(b)in Northern Ireland, a Crown Court judge.

(3)In relation to an application for the purposes of a civil recovery investigation [F1or a detained cash investigation] a judge is a judge of the High Court.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I1S. 343 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

344 CourtsE+W+N.I.

In this Chapter references to the court are to—

(a)the Crown Court, in relation to an order for the purposes of a confiscation investigation or a money laundering investigation;

(b)the High Court, in relation to an order for the purposes of a civil recovery investigation [F2or a detained cash investigation] .

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I2S. 344 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

Production ordersE+W+N.I.

345 Production ordersE+W+N.I.

(1)A judge may, on an application made to him by an appropriate officer, make a production order if he is satisfied that each of the requirements for the making of the order is fulfilled.

(2)The application for a production order must state that—

(a)a person specified in the application is subject to a confiscation investigation or a money laundering investigation, or

(b)property specified in the application is subject to a civil recovery investigation [F3or a detained cash investigation] .

(3)The application must also state that—

(a)the order is sought for the purposes of the investigation;

(b)the order is sought in relation to material, or material of a description, specified in the application;

(c)a person specified in the application appears to be in possession or control of the material.

(4)A production order is an order either—

(a)requiring the person the application for the order specifies as appearing to be in possession or control of material to produce it to an appropriate officer for him to take away, or

(b)requiring that person to give an appropriate officer access to the material,

within the period stated in the order.

(5)The period stated in a production order must be a period of seven days beginning with the day on which the order is made, unless it appears to the judge by whom the order is made that a longer or shorter period would be appropriate in the particular circumstances.

Textual Amendments

F3Words in s. 345(2)(b) inserted (6.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), ss. 75(2), 94(1); S.I. 2008/755, art. 17(1)(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I3S. 345 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

346 Requirements for making of production orderE+W+N.I.

(1)These are the requirements for the making of a production order.

(2)There must be reasonable grounds for suspecting that—

(a)in the case of a confiscation investigation, the person the application for the order specifies as being subject to the investigation has benefited from his criminal conduct;

(b)in the case of a civil recovery investigation, the property the application for the order specifies as being subject to the investigation is recoverable property or associated property;

[F4(ba)in the case of a detained cash investigation into the derivation of cash, the property the application for the order specifies as being subject to the investigation, or a part of it, is recoverable property;

(bb)in the case of a detained cash investigation into the intended use of cash, the property the application for the order specifies as being subject to the investigation, or a part of it, is intended by any person to be used in unlawful conduct;]

(c)in the case of a money laundering investigation, the person the application for the order specifies as being subject to the investigation has committed a money laundering offence.

(3)There must be reasonable grounds for believing that the person the application specifies as appearing to be in possession or control of the material so specified is in possession or control of it.

(4)There must be reasonable grounds for believing that the material is likely to be of substantial value (whether or not by itself) to the investigation for the purposes of which the order is sought.

(5)There must be reasonable grounds for believing that it is in the public interest for the material to be produced or for access to it to be given, having regard to—

(a)the benefit likely to accrue to the investigation if the material is obtained;

(b)the circumstances under which the person the application specifies as appearing to be in possession or control of the material holds it.

Textual Amendments

F4S. 346(2)(ba)(bb) inserted (6.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), ss. 75(3), 94(1); S.I. 2008/755, art. 17(1)(a)

Commencement Information

I4S. 346 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

347 Order to grant entryE+W+N.I.

(1)This section applies if a judge makes a production order requiring a person to give an appropriate officer access to material on any premises.

(2)The judge may, on an application made to him by an appropriate officer and specifying the premises, make an order to grant entry in relation to the premises.

(3)An order to grant entry is an order requiring any person who appears to an appropriate officer to be entitled to grant entry to the premises to allow him to enter the premises to obtain access to the material.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I5S. 347 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

348 Further provisionsE+W+N.I.

(1)A production order does not require a person to produce, or give access to, privileged material.

(2)Privileged material is any material which the person would be entitled to refuse to produce on grounds of legal professional privilege in proceedings in the High Court.

(3)A production order does not require a person to produce, or give access to, excluded material.

(4)A production order has effect in spite of any restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

(5)An appropriate officer may take copies of any material which is produced, or to which access is given, in compliance with a production order.

(6)Material produced in compliance with a production order may be retained for so long as it is necessary to retain it (as opposed to copies of it) in connection with the investigation for the purposes of which the order was made.

(7)But if an appropriate officer has reasonable grounds for believing that—

(a)the material may need to be produced for the purposes of any legal proceedings, and

(b)it might otherwise be unavailable for those purposes,

it may be retained until the proceedings are concluded.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I6S. 348 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

349 Computer informationE+W+N.I.

(1)This section applies if any of the material specified in an application for a production order consists of information contained in a computer.

(2)If the order is an order requiring a person to produce the material to an appropriate officer for him to take away, it has effect as an order to produce the material in a form in which it can be taken away by him and in which it is visible and legible.

(3)If the order is an order requiring a person to give an appropriate officer access to the material, it has effect as an order to give him access to the material in a form in which it is visible and legible.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I7S. 349 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

350 Government departmentsE+W+N.I.

(1)A production order may be made in relation to material in the possession or control of an authorised government department.

(2)An order so made may require any officer of the department (whether named in the order or not) who may for the time being be in possession or control of the material to comply with it.

(3)An order containing such a requirement must be served as if the proceedings were civil proceedings against the department.

(4)If an order contains such a requirement—

(a)the person on whom it is served must take all reasonable steps to bring it to the attention of the officer concerned;

(b)any other officer of the department who is in receipt of the order must also take all reasonable steps to bring it to the attention of the officer concerned.

(5)If the order is not brought to the attention of the officer concerned within the period stated in the order (in pursuance of section 345(4)) the person on whom it is served must report the reasons for the failure to—

(a)a judge entitled to exercise the jurisdiction of the Crown Court or (in Northern Ireland) a Crown Court judge, in the case of an order made for the purposes of a confiscation investigation or a money laundering investigation;

(b)a High Court judge, in the case of an order made for the purposes of a civil recovery investigation [F5or a detained cash investigation] .

(6)An authorised government department is a government department, or a Northern Ireland department, which is an authorised department for the purposes of the Crown Proceedings Act 1947 (c. 44).

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I8S. 350 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

351 SupplementaryE+W+N.I.

(1)An application for a production order or an order to grant entry may be made ex parte to a judge in chambers.

(2)Rules of court may make provision as to the practice and procedure to be followed in connection with proceedings relating to production orders and orders to grant entry.

(3)An application to discharge or vary a production order or an order to grant entry may be made to the court by—

(a)the person who applied for the order;

(b)any person affected by the order.

(4)The court—

(a)may discharge the order;

(b)may vary the order.

(5)If an accredited financial investigator, [F6a member of SOCA's staff,] a constable or a customs officer applies for a production order or an order to grant entry, an application to discharge or vary the order need not be by the same accredited financial investigator, [F7member of SOCA's staff, ] constable or customs officer.

(6)References to a person who applied for a production order or an order to grant entry must be construed accordingly.

(7)Production orders and orders to grant entry have effect as if they were orders of the court.

(8)Subsections (2) to (7) do not apply to orders made in England and Wales for the purposes of a civil recovery investigation [F8or a detained cash investigation] .

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I9S. 351 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

Search and seizure warrantsE+W+N.I.

352 Search and seizure warrantsE+W+N.I.

(1)A judge may, on an application made to him by an appropriate officer, issue a search and seizure warrant if he is satisfied that either of the requirements for the issuing of the warrant is fulfilled.

(2)The application for a search and seizure warrant must state that—

(a)a person specified in the application is subject to a confiscation investigation or a money laundering investigation, or

(b)property specified in the application is subject to a civil recovery investigation [F9or a detained cash investigation] .

(3)The application must also state—

(a)that the warrant is sought for the purposes of the investigation;

(b)that the warrant is sought in relation to the premises specified in the application;

(c)that the warrant is sought in relation to material specified in the application, or that there are reasonable grounds for believing that there is material falling within section 353(6), (7) [F10, (7A), (7B) ] or (8) on the premises.

(4)A search and seizure warrant is a warrant authorising an appropriate person—

(a)to enter and search the premises specified in the application for the warrant, and

(b)to seize and retain any material found there which is likely to be of substantial value (whether or not by itself) to the investigation for the purposes of which the application is made.

(5)An appropriate person is—

(a)a constable [F11, an accredited financial investigator] or a customs officer, if the warrant is sought for the purposes of a confiscation investigation or a money laundering investigation;

(b)a [F12member of SOCA's staff or of the staff of the relevant Director] , if the warrant is sought for the purposes of a civil recovery investigation.

[F13(c)a constable [F14, an accredited financial investigator] or an officer of Revenue and Customs, if the warrant is sought for the purposes of a detained cash investigation.]

[F15(5A)In this Part “relevant Director”—

(a)in relation to England and Wales, means the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Director of Revenue and Customs Prosecutions or the Director of the Serious Fraud Office; and

(b)in relation to Northern Ireland, means the Director of the Serious Fraud Office or the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.]

(6)The requirements for the issue of a search and seizure warrant are—

(a)that a production order made in relation to material has not been complied with and there are reasonable grounds for believing that the material is on the premises specified in the application for the warrant, or

(b)that section 353 is satisfied in relation to the warrant.

[F16(7)The reference in paragraph (a) or (c) of subsection (5) to an accredited financial investigator is a reference to an accredited financial investigator who falls within a description specified in an order made for the purposes of that paragraph by the Secretary of State under section 453.]

Textual Amendments

F9Words in s. 352(2)(b) inserted (6.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), ss. 76(1), 94(1); S.I. 2008/755, art. 17(1)(b)

F11Words in s. 352(5)(a) inserted (6.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), ss. 80(1)(a), 94(1); S.I. 2008/755, art. 17(1)(g)

F12Words in s. 352(5)(b) substituted (1.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), s. 94(1), Sch. 8 para. 105(2); S.I. 2008/755, art. 2(1)(a) (with arts. 3-14)

F14Words in s. 352(5)(c) inserted (6.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), ss. 80(1)(b), 94(1); S.I. 2008/755, art. 17(1)(g)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C31S. 352(5) amendment to earlier affecting provision SI 2003/425 art. 5(4) (6.4.2008) by Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Investigations in different parts of the United Kingdom) (Amendment) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/298), arts. 1(2), 2(3)

C32S. 352(5) amendment to earlier affecting provision SI 2003/425 art. 15(4) (6.4.2008) by Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Investigations in different parts of the United Kingdom) (Amendment) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/298), arts. 1(2), 2(6)

C40S. 352(5) modified (1.4.2003) by The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Investigations in different parts of the United Kingdom) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/425), arts. 1, 5(3)(4), 15(3)(4), 25(3)(4), 26(3)(4) (as amended (6.4.2008) by S.I. 2008/298, arts. 1(2), 2(3)(6))

Commencement Information

I10S. 352 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

353 Requirements where production order not availableE+W+N.I.

(1)This section is satisfied in relation to a search and seizure warrant if—

(a)subsection (2) applies, and

(b)either the first or the second set of conditions is complied with.

(2)This subsection applies if there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that—

(a)in the case of a confiscation investigation, the person specified in the application for the warrant has benefited from his criminal conduct;

(b)in the case of a civil recovery investigation, the property specified in the application for the warrant is recoverable property or associated property;

[F17(ba)in the case of a detained cash investigation into the derivation of cash, the property specified in the application for the warrant, or a part of it, is recoverable property;

(bb)in the case of a detained cash investigation into the intended use of cash, the property specified in the application for the warrant, or a part of it, is intended by any person to be used in unlawful conduct;]

(c)in the case of a money laundering investigation, the person specified in the application for the warrant has committed a money laundering offence.

(3)The first set of conditions is that there are reasonable grounds for believing that—

(a)any material on the premises specified in the application for the warrant is likely to be of substantial value (whether or not by itself) to the investigation for the purposes of which the warrant is sought,

(b)it is in the public interest for the material to be obtained, having regard to the benefit likely to accrue to the investigation if the material is obtained, and

(c)it would not be appropriate to make a production order for any one or more of the reasons in subsection (4).

(4)The reasons are—

(a)that it is not practicable to communicate with any person against whom the production order could be made;

(b)that it is not practicable to communicate with any person who would be required to comply with an order to grant entry to the premises;

(c)that the investigation might be seriously prejudiced unless an appropriate person is able to secure immediate access to the material.

(5)The second set of conditions is that—

(a)there are reasonable grounds for believing that there is material on the premises specified in the application for the warrant and that the material falls within subsection (6), (7) [F18, (7A), (7B)] or (8),

(b)there are reasonable grounds for believing that it is in the public interest for the material to be obtained, having regard to the benefit likely to accrue to the investigation if the material is obtained, and

(c)any one or more of the requirements in subsection (9) is met.

(6)In the case of a confiscation investigation, material falls within this subsection if it cannot be identified at the time of the application but it—

(a)relates to the person specified in the application, the question whether he has benefited from his criminal conduct or any question as to the extent or whereabouts of his benefit from his criminal conduct, and

(b)is likely to be of substantial value (whether or not by itself) to the investigation for the purposes of which the warrant is sought.

(7)In the case of a civil recovery investigation, material falls within this subsection if it cannot be identified at the time of the application but it—

(a)relates to the property specified in the application, the question whether it is recoverable property or associated property, the question as to who holds any such property, any question as to whether the person who appears to hold any such property holds other property which is recoverable property, or any question as to the extent or whereabouts of any property mentioned in this paragraph, and

(b)is likely to be of substantial value (whether or not by itself) to the investigation for the purposes of which the warrant is sought.

[F19(7A)In the case of a detained cash investigation into the derivation of cash, material falls within this subsection if it cannot be identified at the time of the application but it—

(a)relates to the property specified in the application, the question whether the property, or a part of it, is recoverable property or any other question as to its derivation, and

(b)is likely to be of substantial value (whether or not by itself) to the investigation for the purposes of which the warrant is sought.

(7B)In the case of a detained cash investigation into the intended use of cash, material falls within this subsection if it cannot be identified at the time of the application but it—

(a)relates to the property specified in the application or the question whether the property, or a part of it, is intended by any person to be used in unlawful conduct, and

(b)is likely to be of substantial value (whether or not by itself) to the investigation for the purposes of which the warrant is sought.]

(8)In the case of a money laundering investigation, material falls within this subsection if it cannot be identified at the time of the application but it—

(a)relates to the person specified in the application or the question whether he has committed a money laundering offence, and

(b)is likely to be of substantial value (whether or not by itself) to the investigation for the purposes of which the warrant is sought.

(9)The requirements are—

(a)that it is not practicable to communicate with any person entitled to grant entry to the premises;

(b)that entry to the premises will not be granted unless a warrant is produced;

(c)that the investigation might be seriously prejudiced unless an appropriate person arriving at the premises is able to secure immediate entry to them.

(10)An appropriate person is—

(a)a constable [F20, an accredited financial investigator] or a customs officer, if the warrant is sought for the purposes of a confiscation investigation or a money laundering investigation;

(b)a member of [F21SOCA's staff or of the staff of the relevant Director] , if the warrant is sought for the purposes of a civil recovery investigation.

[F22(c)a constable [F23 , an accredited financial investigator] or an officer of Revenue and Customs, if the warrant is sought for the purposes of a detained cash investigation.]

[F24(11)The reference in paragraph (a) or (c) of subsection (10) to an accredited financial investigator is a reference to an accredited financial investigator who falls within a description specified in an order made for the purposes of that paragraph by the Secretary of State under section 453.]

Textual Amendments

F17S. 353(2)(ba)(bb) inserted (6.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), ss. 76(2), 94(1); S.I. 2008/755, art. 17(1)(b)

F20Words in s. 353(10)(a) inserted (6.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), ss. 80(3)(a), 94(1); S.I. 2008/755, art. 17(1)(g)

F21Words in s. 353(10)(b) substituted (1.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), s. 94(1), Sch. 8 para. 106; S.I. 2008/755, art. 2(1)(a) (with arts. 3-14)

F23Words in s. 353(10)(c) inserted (6.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), ss. 80(3)(b), 94(1); S.I. 2008/755, art. 17(1)(g)

Commencement Information

I11S. 353 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

354 Further provisions: generalE+W+N.I.

(1)A search and seizure warrant does not confer the right to seize privileged material.

(2)Privileged material is any material which a person would be entitled to refuse to produce on grounds of legal professional privilege in proceedings in the High Court.

(3)A search and seizure warrant does not confer the right to seize excluded material.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I12S. 354 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

355 Further provisions: confiscation and money launderingE+W+N.I.

(1)This section applies to—

(a)search and seizure warrants sought for the purposes of a confiscation investigation or a money laundering investigation, and

(b)powers of seizure under them.

(2)In relation to such warrants and powers, the Secretary of State may make an order which applies the provisions to which subsections (3) and (4) apply subject to any specified modifications.

(3)This subsection applies to the following provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60)—

(a)section 15 (search warrants -safeguards);

(b)section 16 (execution of warrants);

(c)section 21 (access and copying);

(d)section 22 (retention).

(4)This subsection applies to the following provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/1341 (N.I. 12))—

(a)Article 17 (search warrants -safeguards);

(b)Article 18 (execution of warrants);

(c)Article 23 (access and copying);

(d)Article 24 (retention).

Commencement Information

I13S. 355 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

356 Further provisions: civil recovery [F25and detained cash] E+W+N.I.

(1)This section applies to search and seizure warrants sought for the purposes of civil recovery investigations [F26or detained cash investigations] .

(2)An application for a warrant may be made ex parte to a judge in chambers.

(3)A warrant may be issued subject to conditions.

(4)A warrant continues in force until the end of the period of one month starting with the day on which it is issued.

(5)A warrant authorises the person it names to require any information which is held in a computer and is accessible from the premises specified in the application for the warrant, and which the named person believes relates to any matter relevant to the investigation, to be produced in a form—

(a)in which it can be taken away, and

(b)in which it is visible and legible.

F27(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7)A warrant may include provision authorising a person who is exercising powers under it to do other things which—

(a)are specified in the warrant, and

(b)need to be done in order to give effect to it.

(8)Copies may be taken of any material seized under a warrant.

(9)Material seized under a warrant may be retained for so long as it is necessary to retain it (as opposed to copies of it) in connection with the investigation for the purposes of which the warrant was issued.

(10)But [F28if the appropriate person has reasonable] grounds for believing that—

(a)the material may need to be produced for the purposes of any legal proceedings, and

(b)it might otherwise be unavailable for those purposes,

it may be retained until the proceedings are concluded.

[F29(11)The appropriate person is—

(a)[F30an appropriate officer] , if the warrant was issued for the purposes of a civil recovery investigation;

(b)a constable [F31, an accredited financial investigator] or an officer of Revenue and Customs, if the warrant was issued for the purposes of a detained cash investigation.]

[F32(12)The reference in paragraph (b) of subsection (11) to an accredited financial investigator is a reference to an accredited financial investigator who falls within a description specified in an order made for the purposes of that paragraph by the Secretary of State under section 453.]

Textual Amendments

F28Words in s. 356(10) substituted (1.4.2008 for specified purposes, 6.4.2008 in so far as not already in force) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), s. 94(1), Sch. 10 para. 9(5); S.I. 2008/755, arts. 2(2), 17(1)(d)(ii)

F29S. 356(11) inserted (1.4.2008 for specified purposes, 6.4.2008 in so far as not already in force) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), s. 94(1), Sch. 10 para. 9(6); S.I. 2008/755, arts. 2(2), 17(1)(d)(ii)

F30Words in s. 356(11)(a) substituted (1.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), s. 94(1), Sch. 8 para. 107(3); S.I. 2008/755, art. 2(1)(a) (with arts. 3-14)

F31Words in s. 356(11)(b) inserted (6.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), ss. 80(5), 94(1); S.I. 2008/755, art. 17(1)(g)

Commencement Information

I14S. 356 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

Disclosure ordersE+W+N.I.

357 Disclosure ordersE+W+N.I.

(1)A judge may, on an application made to him by [F33the relevant authority] , make a disclosure order if he is satisfied that each of the requirements for the making of the order is fulfilled.

(2)No application for a disclosure order may be made in relation to a [F34detained cash investigation or a ] money laundering investigation.

[F35(2A)The relevant authority may only make an application for a disclosure order in relation to a confiscation investigation if the relevant authority is in receipt of a request to do so from an appropriate officer.]

(3)The application for a disclosure order must state that—

(a)a person specified in the application is subject to a confiscation investigation which is being carried out by [F36an appropriate officer] and the order is sought for the purposes of the investigation, or

(b)property specified in the application is subject to a civil recovery investigation and the order is sought for the purposes of the investigation.

(4)A disclosure order is an order authorising [F37an appropriate officer] to give to any person [F38the appropriate officer] considers has relevant information notice in writing requiring him to do, with respect to any matter relevant to the investigation for the purposes of which the order is sought, any or all of the following—

(a)answer questions, either at a time specified in the notice or at once, at a place so specified;

(b)provide information specified in the notice, by a time and in a manner so specified;

(c)produce documents, or documents of a description, specified in the notice, either at or by a time so specified or at once, and in a manner so specified.

(5)Relevant information is information (whether or not contained in a document) which [F39the appropriate officer concerned] considers to be relevant to the investigation.

(6)A person is not bound to comply with a requirement imposed by a notice given under a disclosure order unless evidence of authority to give the notice is produced to him.

[F40(7)In this Part “relevant authority” means—

(a)in relation to a confiscation investigation, a prosecutor; and

(b)in relation to a civil recovery investigation, a member of SOCA's staff or the relevant Director.

(8)For the purposes of subsection (7)(a) a prosecutor is—

(a)in relation to a confiscation investigation carried out by a member of SOCA's staff, the relevant Director or any specified person;

(b)in relation to a confiscation investigation carried out by an accredited financial investigator, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland or any specified person;

(c)in relation to a confiscation investigation carried out by a constable, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland, the Director of the Serious Fraud Office or any specified person; and

(d)in relation to a confiscation investigation carried out by an officer of Revenue and Customs, the Director of Revenue and Customs Prosecutions, the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland or any specified person.

(9)In subsection (8) “specified person” means any person specified, or falling within a description specified, by an order of the Secretary of State.]

Textual Amendments

F36Words in s. 357(3)(a) substituted (1.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), s. 94(1), Sch. 8 para. 108(4); S.I. 2008/755, art. 2(1)(a) (with arts. 3-14)

Commencement Information

I15S. 357 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

358 Requirements for making of disclosure orderE+W+N.I.

(1)These are the requirements for the making of a disclosure order.

(2)There must be reasonable grounds for suspecting that—

(a)in the case of a confiscation investigation, the person specified in the application for the order has benefited from his criminal conduct;

(b)in the case of a civil recovery investigation, the property specified in the application for the order is recoverable property or associated property.

(3)There must be reasonable grounds for believing that information which may be provided in compliance with a requirement imposed under the order is likely to be of substantial value (whether or not by itself) to the investigation for the purposes of which the order is sought.

(4)There must be reasonable grounds for believing that it is in the public interest for the information to be provided, having regard to the benefit likely to accrue to the investigation if the information is obtained.

Commencement Information

I16S. 358 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

359 OffencesE+W+N.I.

(1)A person commits an offence if without reasonable excuse he fails to comply with a requirement imposed on him under a disclosure order.

(2)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction to—

(a)imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months,

(b)a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or

(c)both.

(3)A person commits an offence if, in purported compliance with a requirement imposed on him under a disclosure order, he—

(a)makes a statement which he knows to be false or misleading in a material particular, or

(b)recklessly makes a statement which is false or misleading in a material particular.

(4)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (3) is liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both, or

(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine or to both.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C47S. 359 applied (1.4.2003) by The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Investigations in different parts of the United Kingdom) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/425), arts. 1, 8(1)(2)(6)-(8), 18(2)(6)(7), 27(6)(7), 28(7) (as amended (1.4.2008) by S.I. 2008/298, arts. 1(1), 2(9)(10))

Commencement Information

I17S. 359 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

360 StatementsE+W+N.I.

(1)A statement made by a person in response to a requirement imposed on him under a disclosure order may not be used in evidence against him in criminal proceedings.

(2)But subsection (1) does not apply—

(a)in the case of proceedings under Part 2 or 4,

(b)on a prosecution for an offence under section 359(1) or (3),

(c)on a prosecution for an offence under section 5 of the Perjury Act 1911 (c. 6) or Article 10 of the Perjury (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 (S.I. 1979/1714 (N.I. 19)) (false statements), or

(d)on a prosecution for some other offence where, in giving evidence, the person makes a statement inconsistent with the statement mentioned in subsection (1).

(3)A statement may not be used by virtue of subsection (2)(d) against a person unless—

(a)evidence relating to it is adduced, or

(b)a question relating to it is asked,

by him or on his behalf in the proceedings arising out of the prosecution.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I18S. 360 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

361 Further provisionsE+W+N.I.

(1)A disclosure order does not confer the right to require a person to answer any privileged question, provide any privileged information or produce any privileged document, except that a lawyer may be required to provide the name and address of a client of his.

(2)A privileged question is a question which the person would be entitled to refuse to answer on grounds of legal professional privilege in proceedings in the High Court.

(3)Privileged information is any information which the person would be entitled to refuse to provide on grounds of legal professional privilege in proceedings in the High Court.

(4)Privileged material is any material which the person would be entitled to refuse to produce on grounds of legal professional privilege in proceedings in the High Court.

(5)A disclosure order does not confer the right to require a person to produce excluded material.

(6)A disclosure order has effect in spite of any restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

(7)[F41An appropriate officer] may take copies of any documents produced in compliance with a requirement to produce them which is imposed under a disclosure order.

(8)Documents so produced may be retained for so long as it is necessary to retain them (as opposed to a copy of them) in connection with the investigation for the purposes of which the order was made.

(9)But if [F42an appropriate officer] has reasonable grounds for believing that—

(a)the documents may need to be produced for the purposes of any legal proceedings, and

(b)they might otherwise be unavailable for those purposes,

they may be retained until the proceedings are concluded.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C52S. 361 applied (with modifications) (1.4.2003) by The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Investigations in different parts of the United Kingdom) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/425), arts. 1, 8(1)(5), 18(5) (as amended (1.4.2008) by S.I. 2008/298, arts. 1(1), 2(5)(8))

Commencement Information

I19S. 361 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

362 SupplementaryE+W+N.I.

(1)An application for a disclosure order may be made ex parte to a judge in chambers.

(2)Rules of court may make provision as to the practice and procedure to be followed in connection with proceedings relating to disclosure orders.

(3)An application to discharge or vary a disclosure order may be made to the court by—

(a)the [F43person who applied for the order] ;

(b)any person affected by the order.

(4)The court—

(a)may discharge the order;

(b)may vary the order.

[F44(4A)If a member of SOCA's staff or a person falling within a description of persons specified by virtue of section 357(9) applies for a disclosure order, an application to discharge or vary the order need not be by the same member of SOCA's staff or (as the case may be) the same person falling within that description.

(4B)References to a person who applied for a disclosure order must be construed accordingly.]

(5)Subsections (2) to [F45(4B) ] do not apply to orders made in England and Wales for the purposes of a civil recovery investigation.

Textual Amendments

F43Words in s. 362(3)(a) substituted (1.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), s. 94(1), Sch. 8 para. 110(2); S.I. 2008/755, art. 2(1)(a) (with arts. 3-14)

Commencement Information

I20S. 362 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

Customer information ordersE+W+N.I.

363 Customer information ordersE+W+N.I.

(1)A judge may, on an application made to him by an appropriate officer, make a customer information order if he is satisfied that each of the requirements for the making of the order is fulfilled.

[F46(1A)No application for a customer information order may be made in relation to a detained cash investigation.]

(2)The application for a customer information order must state that—

(a)a person specified in the application is subject to a confiscation investigation or a money laundering investigation, or

(b)property specified in the application is subject to a civil recovery investigation and a person specified in the application appears to hold the property.

(3)The application must also state that—

(a)the order is sought for the purposes of the investigation;

(b)the order is sought against the financial institution or financial institutions specified in the application.

(4)An application for a customer information order may specify—

(a)all financial institutions,

(b)a particular description, or particular descriptions, of financial institutions, or

(c)a particular financial institution or particular financial institutions.

(5)A customer information order is an order that a financial institution covered by the application for the order must, on being required to do so by notice in writing given by an appropriate officer, provide any such customer information as it has relating to the person specified in the application.

(6)A financial institution which is required to provide information under a customer information order must provide the information to an appropriate officer in such manner, and at or by such time, as an appropriate officer requires.

(7)If a financial institution on which a requirement is imposed by a notice given under a customer information order requires the production of evidence of authority to give the notice, it is not bound to comply with the requirement unless evidence of the authority has been produced to it.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I21S. 363 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

364 Meaning of customer informationE+W+N.I.

(1)“Customer information”, in relation to a person and a financial institution, is information whether the person holds, or has held, [F47 an account or accounts] at the financial institution (whether solely or jointly with another) and (if so) information as to—

(a)the matters specified in subsection (2) if the person is an individual;

(b)the matters specified in subsection (3) if the person is a company or limited liability partnership or a similar body incorporated or otherwise established outside the United Kingdom.

(2)The matters referred to in subsection (1)(a) are—

(a)the account number or numbers[F48or the number of any safe deposit box];

(b)the person’s full name;

(c)his date of birth;

(d)his most recent address and any previous addresses;

(e)[F49in the case of an account or accounts,]the date or dates on which he began to hold the account or accounts and, if he has ceased to hold the account or any of the accounts, the date or dates on which he did so;

[F50(ee)in the case of any safe deposit box, the date on which the box was made available to him and if the box has ceased to be available to him the date on which it so ceased;]

(f)such evidence of his identity as was obtained by the financial institution under or for the purposes of any legislation relating to money laundering;

(g)the full name, date of birth and most recent address, and any previous addresses, of any person who holds, or has held, an account at the financial institution jointly with him;

(h)the account number or numbers of any other account or accounts held at the financial institution to which he is a signatory and details of the person holding the other account or accounts.

(3)The matters referred to in subsection (1)(b) are—

(a)the account number or numbers[F51 or the number of any safe deposit box];

(b)the person’s full name;

(c)a description of any business which the person carries on;

(d)the country or territory in which it is incorporated or otherwise established and any number allocated to it under [F52the Companies Act 2006] or corresponding legislation of any country or territory outside the United Kingdom;

(e)any number assigned to it for the purposes of value added tax in the United Kingdom;

(f)its registered office, and any previous registered offices, under [F53the Companies Act 2006 (or corresponding earlier legislation)] or anything similar under corresponding legislation of any country or territory outside the United Kingdom;

(g)its registered office, and any previous registered offices, under the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000 (c. 12) or anything similar under corresponding legislation of any country or territory outside Great Britain;

(h)[F54in the case of an account or accounts, ]the date or dates on which it began to hold the account or accounts and, if it has ceased to hold the account or any of the accounts, the date or dates on which it did so;

[F55(hh)in the case of any safe deposit box, the date on which the box was made available to it and if the box has ceased to be available to it the date on which it so ceased;]

(i)such evidence of its identity as was obtained by the financial institution under or for the purposes of any legislation relating to money laundering;

(j)the full name, date of birth and most recent address and any previous addresses of any person who is a signatory to the account or any of the accounts.

(4)The Secretary of State may by order provide for information of a description specified in the order—

(a)to be customer information, or

(b)no longer to be customer information.

(5)Money laundering is an act which—

(a)constitutes an offence under section 327, 328 or 329 of this Act or section 18 of the Terrorism Act 2000 (c. 11), or

[F56(aa)constitutes an offence specified in section 415(1A) of this Act,]

(b)would constitute an offence specified in paragraph (a)[F57or (aa) ] if done in the United Kingdom.

[F58(6)A “safe deposit box” includes any procedure under which a financial institution provides a facility to hold items for safe keeping on behalf of another person.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I22S. 364 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

365 Requirements for making of customer information orderE+W+N.I.

(1)These are the requirements for the making of a customer information order.

(2)In the case of a confiscation investigation, there must be reasonable grounds for suspecting that the person specified in the application for the order has benefited from his criminal conduct.

(3)In the case of a civil recovery investigation, there must be reasonable grounds for suspecting that—

(a)the property specified in the application for the order is recoverable property or associated property;

(b)the person specified in the application holds all or some of the property.

(4)In the case of a money laundering investigation, there must be reasonable grounds for suspecting that the person specified in the application for the order has committed a money laundering offence.

(5)In the case of any investigation, there must be reasonable grounds for believing that customer information which may be provided in compliance with the order is likely to be of substantial value (whether or not by itself) to the investigation for the purposes of which the order is sought.

(6)In the case of any investigation, there must be reasonable grounds for believing that it is in the public interest for the customer information to be provided, having regard to the benefit likely to accrue to the investigation if the information is obtained.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I23S. 365 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

366 OffencesE+W+N.I.

(1)A financial institution commits an offence if without reasonable excuse it fails to comply with a requirement imposed on it under a customer information order.

(2)A financial institution guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

(3)A financial institution commits an offence if, in purported compliance with a customer information order, it—

(a)makes a statement which it knows to be false or misleading in a material particular, or

(b)recklessly makes a statement which is false or misleading in a material particular.

(4)A financial institution guilty of an offence under subsection (3) is liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or

(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I24S. 366 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

367 StatementsE+W+N.I.

(1)A statement made by a financial institution in response to a customer information order may not be used in evidence against it in criminal proceedings.

(2)But subsection (1) does not apply—

(a)in the case of proceedings under Part 2 or 4,

(b)on a prosecution for an offence under section 366(1) or (3), or

(c)on a prosecution for some other offence where, in giving evidence, the financial institution makes a statement inconsistent with the statement mentioned in subsection (1).

(3)A statement may not be used by virtue of subsection (2)(c) against a financial institution unless—

(a)evidence relating to it is adduced, or

(b)a question relating to it is asked,

by or on behalf of the financial institution in the proceedings arising out of the prosecution.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I25S. 367 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

368 Disclosure of informationE+W+N.I.

A customer information order has effect in spite of any restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I26S. 368 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

369 SupplementaryE+W+N.I.

(1)An application for a customer information order may be made ex parte to a judge in chambers.

(2)Rules of court may make provision as to the practice and procedure to be followed in connection with proceedings relating to customer information orders.

(3)An application to discharge or vary a customer information order may be made to the court by—

(a)the person who applied for the order;

(b)any person affected by the order.

(4)The court—

(a)may discharge the order;

(b)may vary the order.

(5)If an accredited financial investigator, [F59a member of SOCA's staff,] a constable or a customs officer applies for a customer information order, an application to discharge or vary the order need not be by the same accredited financial investigator, [F60member of SOCA's staff,] constable or customs officer.

(6)References to a person who applied for a customer information order must be construed accordingly.

(7)An accredited financial investigator, [F61a member of SOCA's staff,] a constable or a customs officer may not make an application for a customer information order or an application to vary such an order unless he is a senior appropriate officer or he is authorised to do so by a senior appropriate officer.

(8)Subsections (2) to (6) do not apply to orders made in England and Wales for the purposes of a civil recovery investigation.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I27S. 369 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

Account monitoring ordersE+W+N.I.

370 Account monitoring ordersE+W+N.I.

(1)A judge may, on an application made to him by an appropriate officer, make an account monitoring order if he is satisfied that each of the requirements for the making of the order is fulfilled.

[F62(1A)No application for an account monitoring order may be made in relation to a detained cash investigation.]

(2)The application for an account monitoring order must state that—

(a)a person specified in the application is subject to a confiscation investigation or a money laundering investigation, or

(b)property specified in the application is subject to a civil recovery investigation and a person specified in the application appears to hold the property.

(3)The application must also state that—

(a)the order is sought for the purposes of the investigation;

(b)the order is sought against the financial institution specified in the application in relation to account information of the description so specified.

(4)Account information is information relating to an account or accounts held at the financial institution specified in the application by the person so specified (whether solely or jointly with another).

(5)The application for an account monitoring order may specify information relating to—

(a)all accounts held by the person specified in the application for the order at the financial institution so specified,

(b)a particular description, or particular descriptions, of accounts so held, or

(c)a particular account, or particular accounts, so held.

(6)An account monitoring order is an order that the financial institution specified in the application for the order must, for the period stated in the order, provide account information of the description specified in the order to an appropriate officer in the manner, and at or by the time or times, stated in the order.

(7)The period stated in an account monitoring order must not exceed the period of 90 days beginning with the day on which the order is made.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I28S. 370 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

371 Requirements for making of account monitoring orderE+W+N.I.

(1)These are the requirements for the making of an account monitoring order.

(2)In the case of a confiscation investigation, there must be reasonable grounds for suspecting that the person specified in the application for the order has benefited from his criminal conduct.

(3)In the case of a civil recovery investigation, there must be reasonable grounds for suspecting that—

(a)the property specified in the application for the order is recoverable property or associated property;

(b)the person specified in the application holds all or some of the property.

(4)In the case of a money laundering investigation, there must be reasonable grounds for suspecting that the person specified in the application for the order has committed a money laundering offence.

(5)In the case of any investigation, there must be reasonable grounds for believing that account information which may be provided in compliance with the order is likely to be of substantial value (whether or not by itself) to the investigation for the purposes of which the order is sought.

(6)In the case of any investigation, there must be reasonable grounds for believing that it is in the public interest for the account information to be provided, having regard to the benefit likely to accrue to the investigation if the information is obtained.

Commencement Information

I29S. 371 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

372 StatementsE+W+N.I.

(1)A statement made by a financial institution in response to an account monitoring order may not be used in evidence against it in criminal proceedings.

(2)But subsection (1) does not apply—

(a)in the case of proceedings under Part 2 or 4,

(b)in the case of proceedings for contempt of court, or

(c)on a prosecution for an offence where, in giving evidence, the financial institution makes a statement inconsistent with the statement mentioned in subsection (1).

(3)A statement may not be used by virtue of subsection (2)(c) against a financial institution unless—

(a)evidence relating to it is adduced, or

(b)a question relating to it is asked,

by or on behalf of the financial institution in the proceedings arising out of the prosecution.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I30S. 372 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

373 ApplicationsE+W+N.I.

An application for an account monitoring order may be made ex parte to a judge in chambers.

Commencement Information

I31S. 373 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

374 Disclosure of informationE+W+N.I.

An account monitoring order has effect in spite of any restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I32S. 374 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

375 SupplementaryE+W+N.I.

(1)Rules of court may make provision as to the practice and procedure to be followed in connection with proceedings relating to account monitoring orders.

(2)An application to discharge or vary an account monitoring order may be made to the court by—

(a)the person who applied for the order;

(b)any person affected by the order.

(3)The court—

(a)may discharge the order;

(b)may vary the order.

(4)If an accredited financial investigator, [F63a member of SOCA's staff,] a constable or a customs officer applies for an account monitoring order, an application to discharge or vary the order need not be by the same accredited financial investigator, [F64member of SOCA's staff,] constable or customs officer.

(5)References to a person who applied for an account monitoring order must be construed accordingly.

(6)Account monitoring orders have effect as if they were orders of the court.

(7)This section does not apply to orders made in England and Wales for the purposes of a civil recovery investigation.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I33S. 375 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

Evidence overseasE+W+N.I.

F65376 Evidence overseasE+W+N.I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I34S. 376 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

Code of practiceE+W+N.I.

377 Code of practice [F66of Secretary of State etc.] E+W+N.I.

(1)The Secretary of State must prepare a code of practice as to the exercise by all of the following of functions they have under this Chapter—

(a)[F67the Director General of SOCA] ;

(b)[F68other members of SOCA's staff ] ;

(c)accredited financial investigators;

(d)constables;

(e)customs officers.

(2)After preparing a draft of the code the Secretary of State—

(a)must publish the draft;

(b)must consider any representations made to him about the draft;

(c)may amend the draft accordingly.

(3)After the Secretary of State has proceeded under subsection (2) he must lay the code before Parliament.

(4)When he has done so the Secretary of State may bring the code into operation on such day as he may appoint by order.

(5)A person specified in subsection (1)(a) to (e) must comply with a code of practice which is in operation under this section in the exercise of any function he has under this Chapter.

(6)If such a person fails to comply with any provision of such a code of practice he is not by reason only of that failure liable in any criminal or civil proceedings.

(7)But the code of practice is admissible in evidence in such proceedings and a court may take account of any failure to comply with its provisions in determining any question in the proceedings.

(8)The Secretary of State may from time to time revise a code previously brought into operation under this section; and the preceding provisions of this section apply to a revised code as they apply to the code as first prepared.

(9)The following provisions do not apply to an appropriate officer [F69or the relevant authority] in the exercise of any function [F70either] has under this Chapter—

(a)section 67(9) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60) (application of codes of practice under that Act to persons other than police officers);

(b)Article 66(8) of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/1341 (N.I. 12)) (which makes similar provision for Northern Ireland).

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I35S. 377 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

[F71377ACode of practice of Attorney General or Advocate General for Northern IrelandE+W+N.I.

(1)The Attorney General must prepare a code of practice as to—

(a)the exercise by the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Director of Revenue and Customs Prosecutions and the Director of the Serious Fraud Office of functions they have under this Chapter; and

(b)the exercise by any other person, who is the relevant authority by virtue of section 357(9) in relation to a confiscation investigation, of functions he has under this Chapter in relation to England and Wales as the relevant authority.

(2)The Advocate General for Northern Ireland must prepare a code of practice as to—

(a)the exercise by the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland of functions he has under this Chapter; and

(b)the exercise by any other person, who is the relevant authority by virtue of section 357(9) in relation to a confiscation investigation, of functions he has under this Chapter in relation to Northern Ireland as the relevant authority.

(3)After preparing a draft of the code the Attorney General or (as the case may be) the Advocate General for Northern Ireland—

(a)must publish the draft;

(b)must consider any representations made to him about the draft;

(c)may amend the draft accordingly.

(4)After the Attorney General or the Advocate General for Northern Ireland has proceeded under subsection (3) he must lay the code before Parliament.

(5)When the code has been so laid the Attorney General or (as the case may be) the Advocate General for Northern Ireland may bring the code into operation on such day as he may appoint by order.

(6)A person specified in subsection (1)(a) or (b) or (2)(a) or (b) must comply with a code of practice which is in operation under this section in the exercise of any function he has under this Chapter to which the code relates.

(7)If such a person fails to comply with any provision of such a code of practice the person is not by reason only of that failure liable in any criminal or civil proceedings.

(8)But the code of practice is admissible in evidence in such proceedings and a court may take account of any failure to comply with its provisions in determining any question in the proceedings.

(9)The Attorney General or (as the case may be) the Advocate General for Northern Ireland may from time to time revise a code previously brought into operation under this section; and the preceding provisions of this section apply to a revised code as they apply to the code as first prepared.

(10)In this section references to the Advocate General for Northern Ireland are to be read, before the coming into force of section 27(1) of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26), as references to the Attorney General for Northern Ireland.]

Textual Amendments

F71S. 377A inserted (1.3.2008 for specified purposes, 1.4.2008 in so far as not already in force) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), s. 94(1), Sch. 8 para. 115; S.I. 2008/219, art. 3(m); S.I. 2008/755, art. 2(1)(a) (with arts. 3-14)

InterpretationE+W+N.I.

378 OfficersE+W+N.I.

(1)In relation to a confiscation investigation these are appropriate officers—

(a)[F72a member of SOCA's staff ] ;

(b)an accredited financial investigator;

(c)a constable;

(d)a customs officer.

(2)In relation to a confiscation investigation these are senior appropriate officers—

(a)[F73a senior member of SOCA's staff] ;

(b)a police officer who is not below the rank of superintendent;

(c)a customs officer who is not below such grade as is designated by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise as equivalent to that rank;

(d)an accredited financial investigator who falls within a description specified in an order made for the purposes of this paragraph by the Secretary of State under section 453.

(3)In relation to a civil recovery investigation

[F74—

( a)a member of SOCA's staff or the relevant Director is an appropriate officer;

(b)a senior member of SOCA's staff is a senior appropriate officer.]

[F75(3A)In relation to a detained cash investigation these are appropriate officers—

(a)a constable;

[F76(ab)an accredited financial investigator;]

(b)an officer of Revenue and Customs.]

[F77(3B)The reference in paragraph (ab) of subsection (3A) to an accredited financial investigator is a reference to an accredited financial investigator who falls within a description specified in an order made for the purposes of that paragraph by the Secretary of State under section 453.]

(4)In relation to a money laundering investigation these are appropriate officers—

(a)an accredited financial investigator;

(b)a constable;

(c)a customs officer.

(5)For the purposes of section 342, in relation to a money laundering investigation a person authorised for the purposes of money laundering investigations by [F78the Director General of [F79SOCA]] is also an appropriate officer.

(6)In relation to a money laundering investigation these are senior appropriate officers—

(a)a police officer who is not below the rank of superintendent;

(b)a customs officer who is not below such grade as is designated by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise as equivalent to that rank;

(c)an accredited financial investigator who falls within a description specified in an order made for the purposes of this paragraph by the Secretary of State under section 453.

F80(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F81(8)For the purposes of this Part a senior member of SOCA's staff is—

(a)the Director General of SOCA; or

(b)any member of SOCA's staff authorised by the Director General (whether generally or specifically) for this purpose.]

Textual Amendments

F72Words in s. 378(1)(a) substituted (1.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), s. 94(1), Sch. 8 para. 116(2); S.I. 2008/755, art. 2(1)(a) (with arts. 3-14)

F73Words in s. 378(2)(a) substituted (1.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), s. 94(1), Sch. 8 para. 116(3); S.I. 2008/755, art. 2(1)(a) (with arts. 3-14)

Commencement Information

I36S. 378 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

379 MiscellaneousE+W+N.I.

“Document”, “excluded material” and “premises” have the same meanings as in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60) or (in relation to Northern Ireland) the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/1341 (N.I. 12)).

Commencement Information

I37S. 379 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open The Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules as a PDF

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act without Schedules

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Point in Time: This becomes available after navigating to view revised legislation as it stood at a certain point in time via Advanced Features > Show Timeline of Changes or via a point in time advanced search.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the government department responsible for the subject matter of the Act to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Public Acts except Appropriation, Consolidated Fund, Finance and Consolidation Acts.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources

The data on this page is available in the alternative data formats listed: