Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

217 Powers of court and receiver [F1 etc] N.I.

(1) This section applies to—

(a) the powers conferred on a court by sections 189 to [F2 207] and sections 210 to [F3 215D];

(b) the powers of a receiver appointed under section 196 [F4 or 198].

[F5 (c) the powers conferred on appropriate officers by sections 195C to 195L;

(d) the powers conferred on senior officers by section 195G.]

(2) The powers—

(a) must be exercised with a view to the value for the time being of realisable property being made available (by the property’s realisation) for satisfying any confiscation order that has been or may be made against the defendant;

(b) must be exercised, in a case where a confiscation order has not been made, with a view to securing that there is no diminution in the value of realisable property;

(c) must be exercised without taking account of any obligation of the defendant or a recipient of a tainted gift if the obligation conflicts with the object of satisfying any confiscation order that has been or may be made against the defendant;

(d) may be exercised in respect of a debt owed by the Crown.

(3) Subsection (2) has effect subject to the following rules—

(a) the powers must be exercised with a view to allowing a person other than the defendant or a recipient of a tainted gift to retain or recover the value of any interest held by him;

(b) in the case of realisable property held by a recipient of a tainted gift, the powers must be exercised with a view to realising no more than the value for the time being of the gift;

(c) in a case where a confiscation order has not been made against the defendant, property must not be realised if the court so orders under subsection (4).

(4) If on an application by the defendant, or by the recipient of a tainted gift, the court decides that property cannot be replaced it may order that it must not be sold.

(5) An order under subsection (4) may be revoked or varied.

Textual Amendments

F1 Word in s. 217 heading inserted (1.3.2016) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 57(4)(b), 116(1); S.I. 2016/147, art. 3(b) (with art. 4)

F2 Word in s. 217(1)(a) substituted (1.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), s. 94(1), Sch. 8 para. 67(a); S.I. 2008/755, art. 2(1)(a) (with arts. 3-14)

F3 Word in s. 217(1)(a) substituted (1.3.2016) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), s. 116(1), Sch. 7 para. 74; S.I. 2016/147, art. 3(i)

F4 Words in s. 217(1)(b) substituted (1.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), s. 94(1), Sch. 8 para. 67(b); S.I. 2008/755, art. 2(1)(a) (with arts. 3-14)

F5 S. 217(1)(c)(d) inserted (1.3.2016) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 57(4)(a), 116(1); S.I. 2016/147, art. 3(b) (with art. 4)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 4 applied by S.I. 1989/1341 (N.I. 12), arts. 57(5B), 59(8B) (as substituted (24.3.2003) by Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c. 29), Supreme Court s. 458(1), Sch. 11 para. 19(2)(3); S.I. 2003/333, art. 2, Sch.)

Commencement Information

I1 S. 217 in force at 24.3.2003 by S.I. 2003/333, art. 2, Sch.