Commentary on Sections Interpretation Section 76: Conduct and benefit
139.Section 76 defines criminal conduct as any conduct constituting an offence in England and Wales or which (if it took place elsewhere in the United Kingdom or abroad) would constitute an offence there. The restriction of the scope of confiscation under earlier confiscation legislation to the proceeds of drug trafficking, other indictable offences and specified summary offences is thus abolished. Under the Act, the Crown Court that makes a confiscation order will only need to consider whether the defendant has benefited from any conduct which is, or would be contrary to the criminal law of England and Wales. Section 76 also defines “general criminal conduct” and “particular criminal conduct”. For the significance of these terms see the note on section 6.
140.Section 76 also provides that a person benefits from criminal conduct if he obtains property as a result of or in connection with the conduct. This unites in one new provision two similar but not identical definitions in the earlier confiscation legislation relating to drug trafficking, and that relating to other offences. Under the earlier drug trafficking legislation a person benefits from drug trafficking if he receives any payment or reward in connection with drug trafficking carried on by him or another person. Under the earlier legislation relating to other offences, a person benefits from an offence if he obtains any property as a result of or in connection with its commission.