The Criminal Procedure Rules 2015

Application for approval to seize property or to search

33.28.—(1) This rule applies where an officer who is entitled to apply wants the approval of a magistrates’ court, under section 47G of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002(1)—

(a) to seize property, under section 47C of that Act(2);

(b) to search premises or a person or vehicle for property to be seized, under section 47D, 47E or 47F of that Act(3).

(2) Such an officer must—

(a) apply in writing; and

(b) serve the application on the court officer.

(3) The application must—

(a) explain—

(i) the applicant’s entitlement to apply, and

(ii) how the proposed seizure meets the conditions prescribed by sections 47B, 47C and, if applicable, 47D, 47E or 47F of the 2002 Act(4);

(b) if applicable, specify any premises, person or vehicle to be searched;

(c) attach any material on which the applicant relies; and

(d) propose the terms in which the applicant wants the court to give its approval.

(4) The court—

(a) must determine the application—

(i) at a hearing, which must be in private unless the court otherwise directs, and

(ii) in the applicant’s presence;

(b) may consider an application made orally instead of in writing.

[Note. Under section 47C of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, if any of the conditions listed in section 47B of the Act are met then one of the officers listed in section 47A may seize property other than cash or exempt property, as defined in the section, if that officer has reasonable grounds for suspecting that—

(a) the property may otherwise be made unavailable for satisfying any confiscation order that has been or may be made against a defendant; or

(b) the value of the property may otherwise be diminished as a result of conduct by the defendant or any other person.

Under sections 47D, 47E and 47F of the 2002 Act, such an officer may search premises, a person or a vehicle, respectively, for such property, on the conditions listed in those sections.

By sections 47C(6), 47D(2), 47E(4), 47F(6) and 47G of the 2002 Act, such an officer may seize property, and may search for it, only with the approval of a magistrates’ court or, if that is impracticable, the approval of a senior officer (as defined by section 47G), unless in the circumstances it is not practicable to obtain the approval of either.]

(1)

2002 c. 29; section 47G was inserted by section 55 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26) and amended by section 55 of, and paragraphs 14 and 17 of Schedule 21 to, the Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22). It is further amended by section 13 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 (c. 9), with effect from a date to be appointed.

(2)

2002 c. 29; section 47C was inserted by section 55 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26) and amended by section 55 of, and paragraphs 14 and 16 of Schedule 21 to, the Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22).

(3)

2002 c. 29; sections 47D, 47E and 47F were inserted by section 55 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26).

(4)

2002 c. 29; section 47B was inserted by section 55 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26) It is amended by section 13 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 (c. 9), with effect from a date to be appointed.