Part 1: Proceeds of crime Unexplained wealth orders: England and Wales and Northern Ireland Section 2: Interim freezing orders
Section 2 inserts new sections 362J – 362R into POCA. These provisions allow for the freezing of property identified in a UWO, thereby preventing the property being dissipated while it is subject to the order. An application for an interim freezing order may be made to the High Court as a subsidiary part of the UWO proceedings, but it should be made at the same time as the application for the UWO.
	An interim freezing order may only be made if the court has made a UWO in respect of the property in question (section 362I(1)). It cannot be made in advance of a UWO and it is not an alternative to freezing orders made under other provisions. In the case of no response to an order, an interim freezing order lasts for 48 hours from the end of the response period. If a response is forthcoming in the response time, the interim freezing order lasts for 48 hours after the response is received. The High Court must lift the interim freezing order on expiry of either 48 hour period (section 362K).
	Section 362L provides that an interim freezing order may be subject to exclusions so as to make provision for reasonable legal expenses, living expenses, or to carry on a trade, business, profession or occupation.
	The High Court can also stay any other actions or legal processes that are ongoing whilst the interim freezing order is in place (section 362M).
	Sections 362N-P cover the appointment and powers of a receiver. Section 362Q is to ensure that where an interim freezing order affecting land is applied for, its effect may be reinforced by taking action at the Land Registry to prevent the disposal of the land in question.
	New section 362R provides a compensation scheme in relation to the interim freezing order. Compensation may be awarded by the court if the applicant has suffered loss and there was serious default on the part of the relevant enforcement authority. Applications must be made within three months of the discharge of the interim freezing order.