The Magistrates’ Courts (Freezing and Forfeiture of Money in Bank and Building Society Accounts) Rules 2017
These Rules prescribe the procedure to be followed for applications to a magistrates’ court for orders under Chapter 3B of Part 5 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c. 29) (“POCA”). Chapter 3B of Part 5 of POCA was inserted by section 16 of the Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c.22), and makes provision for the forfeiture of money held in bank and building society accounts, where the money derives from, or is intended for use in, unlawful conduct. These Rules provide the relevant procedure for:Applications for account freezing orders (see sections 303Z1 to 303Z3 of POCA)Applications to vary or set aside an account freezing order (see section 303Z4 of POCA)Application to set aside an administrative forfeiture (see section 303Z12 of POCA)Applications for a forfeiture order (see section 303Z14 of POCA)Applications for compensation where no forfeiture order is made (see section 303Z18 of POCA).