Search Legislation

Serious Crime Act 2015

 Help about what version

What Version

 Help about advanced features

Advanced Features

Changes over time for: Cross Heading: Confiscation

 Help about opening options

Changes to legislation:

There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Serious Crime Act 2015, Cross Heading: Confiscation. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. At the current time any known changes or effects made by subsequent legislation have been applied to the text of the legislation you are viewing by the editorial team. Please see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ for details regarding the timescales for which new effects are identified and recorded on this site.

ConfiscationS

15Restitution order and victim surchargeS

(1)In section 97 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (effect of order on court's other powers), in subsection (3)(a), at the end insert “ , a restitution order or a victim surcharge under section 253F(2) of the Procedure Act ”.

(2)After that section insert—

97AApplication of receipts: restitution order and victim surcharge

(1)Subsection (2) applies if—

(a)a court makes a confiscation order and a relevant order against the same person in the same proceedings, and

(b)the court believes that the person will not have sufficient means to satisfy both orders in full.

(2)In such a case the court must direct that so much of the amount payable under the relevant order as it specifies is to be paid out of any sums recovered under the confiscation order.

(3)Subsection (4) applies if—

(a)a court makes a confiscation order, a compensation order under section 249 of the Procedure Act and a relevant order against the same person in the same proceedings, and

(b)the court believes that the person will not have sufficient means to satisfy all the orders in full.

(4)In such a case the court must direct that so much of the compensation, and so much of the amount payable under the relevant order, as it specifies is to be paid out of any sums recovered under the confiscation order.

(5)The amount a court specifies under subsection (2) or (4) must be the amount the court believes will not be recoverable because of the insufficiency of the person's means.

(6)Where the amount a court specifies in a direction under subsection (4) is sufficient to satisfy in full the compensation, the direction must provide for the compensation to be so satisfied before payment of the amount payable under the relevant order.

(7)Where the amount a court specifies in a direction under subsection (4) is not sufficient to satisfy in full the compensation, the direction must provide for the compensation to be satisfied to the extent of the amount specified in the direction.

(8)In this section, “relevant order” means—

(a)a restitution order, or

(b)a victim surcharge under section 253F(2) of the Procedure Act.

(9)In this Part, “restitution order” is to be construed in accordance with section 253A(2) of the Procedure Act.

Commencement Information

I1S. 15 in force at 25.11.2019 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2019/281, reg. 2

I2S. 15 in force at 10.2.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.S.I. 2020/407, reg. 2(1)(a)

16Orders for securing compliance with confiscation orderS

After section 97A of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (inserted by section 15(2) above) insert—

97BOrders for securing compliance with confiscation order

(1)This section applies where the court makes a confiscation order.

(2)The court may make such order in relation to the accused as it believes is appropriate for the purpose of ensuring that the confiscation order is effective (a “compliance order”).

(3)The court must consider whether to make a compliance order—

(a)on the making of the confiscation order, and

(b)if it does not make a compliance order then, at any later time (while the confiscation order is still in effect) on the application of the prosecutor.

(4)In considering whether to make a compliance order, the court must, in particular, consider whether any restriction or prohibition on the accused's travel outside the United Kingdom ought to be imposed for the purpose mentioned in subsection (2).

(5)The court may discharge or vary a compliance order on an application made by—

(a)the prosecutor;

(b)the accused.

(6)For the purposes of any appeal or review, a compliance order is a sentence.

97CBreach of compliance order

(1)This section applies where—

(a)a compliance order has been made in relation to an accused, and

(b)it appears to the court that the accused has failed to comply with the compliance order.

(2)The court may—

(a)issue a warrant for the accused's arrest, or

(b)issue a citation to the accused requiring the accused to appear before the court.

(3)If the accused fails to appear as required by a citation issued under subsection (2)(b), the court may issue a warrant for the arrest of the accused.

(4)The unified citation provisions (as defined in section 307(1) of the Procedure Act) apply in relation to a citation under subsection (2)(b).

(5)The court must, before considering the alleged failure—

(a)provide the accused with written details of the alleged failure,

(b)inform the accused that the accused is entitled to be legally represented, and

(c)inform the accused that no answer need be given to the allegation before the accused—

(i)has been given an opportunity to take legal advice, or

(ii)has indicated that the accused does not wish to take legal advice.

(6)If the court is satisfied that the accused has failed without reasonable excuse to comply with the compliance order, the court may—

(a)impose on the accused a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale,

(b)revoke the compliance order and impose on the accused a sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months,

(c)vary the compliance order, or

(d)both impose a fine under paragraph (a) and vary the order under paragraph (c).

(7)The court may vary the compliance order if the court is satisfied—

(a)that the accused has failed to comply with the order,

(b)that the accused had a reasonable excuse for the failure, and

(c)that, having regard to the circumstances which have arisen since the order was imposed, it is in the interests of justice to vary the order.

(8)Evidence of one witness is sufficient for the purpose of establishing that an accused has failed without reasonable excuse to comply with a compliance order.

97DAppeals against variation or discharge of compliance orders

The prosecutor or the accused may appeal against a decision of the court under section 97B(5)—

(a)to vary or refuse to vary a compliance order, or

(b)to discharge or refuse to discharge a compliance order.

Commencement Information

I3S. 16 in force at 1.3.2016 by S.S.I. 2016/11, reg. 2(a)

17Compliance orders: appeals by prosecutorS

(1)The Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 is amended as follows.

(2)In section 108 (Lord Advocate's right of appeal in solemn proceedings)—

(a)in subsection (1), after paragraph (cc) insert—

(cd)a decision under section 97B(2) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to make or not to make a compliance order;;

(b)in subsection (2)(b)—

(i)in sub-paragraph (ii), for “or (cc)” substitute “ , (cc) or (cd) ”;

(ii)in sub-paragraph (iii), after “paragraph” insert “ (cd) or ”.

(3)In section 175 (right of appeal in summary proceedings)—

(a)in subsection (4), after paragraph (cc) insert—

(cd)a decision under section 97B(2) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to make or not to make a compliance order;;

(b)in subsection (4A)(b)—

(i)in sub-paragraph (ii), for “or (cc)” substitute “ , (cc) or (cd) ”;

(ii)in sub-paragraph (iii), after “paragraph” insert “ (cd) or ”.

Commencement Information

I4S. 17 in force at 1.3.2016 by S.S.I. 2016/11, reg. 2(b)

18Accused persons unlawfully at largeS

(1)In section 111 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (conviction or other disposal of accused), in subsection (1), for “after” substitute “ and, either before or after he became unlawfully at large ”.

(2)For subsection (4) of that section substitute—

(4)Once the accused has ceased to be unlawfully at large—

(a)section 104 has effect as if subsection (1) read—

(1)This section applies if—

(a)in a case where section 111 applies the court did not proceed under section 92,

(b)before the end of the period of six years starting with the day when the accused ceased to be unlawfully at large, the prosecutor applies to the court to proceed under section 92, and

(c)the court thinks it is appropriate for it to do so.;

(b)section 105 has effect as if subsection (3) read—

(3)The second condition is that—

(a)before the end of the period of six years starting with the day when the accused ceased to be unlawfully at large, the prosecutor applies to the court to reconsider whether the accused has benefited from his general or particular criminal conduct (as the case may be), and

(b)the court thinks it is appropriate for it to do so.;

(c)section 106 has effect as if subsection (1) read—

(1)This section applies if—

(a)a court has made a confiscation order,

(b)the prosecutor believes that if the court were to find the amount of the accused's benefit in pursuance of this section it would exceed the relevant amount,

(c)before the end of the period of six years starting with the day when the accused ceased to be unlawfully at large, the prosecutor applies to the court to proceed under this section, and

(d)the court thinks it is appropriate for it to do so.;

(d)the modifications set out in subsection (3)(a) to (d) of this section do not apply to proceedings that take place by virtue of section 104, 105 or 106 (as applied by this subsection).

(3)In section 112 of that Act (accused neither convicted nor acquitted), in subsection (1)(c), for “two years” substitute “ three months ”.

(4)For subsection (4) of that section substitute—

(4)Once the accused has ceased to be unlawfully at large—

(a)section 106 has effect as if subsection (1) read—

(1)This section applies if—

(a)a court has made a confiscation order,

(b)the prosecutor believes that if the court were to find the amount of the accused's benefit in pursuance of this section it would exceed the relevant amount,

(c)before the end of the period of six years starting with the day when the accused ceased to be unlawfully at large, the prosecutor applies to the court to proceed under this section, and

(d)the court thinks it is appropriate for it to do so.;

(b)the modifications set out in subsection (3)(a) to (d) of this section do not apply to proceedings that take place by virtue of section 106 (as applied by this subsection).

Commencement Information

I5S. 18 in force at 1.3.2016 by S.S.I. 2016/11, reg. 2(c)

19Enforcement of confiscation ordersS

(1)In section 118 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (application of provisions about fine enforcement in relation to confiscation orders)—

(a)in subsection (2)(h), for “, except” substitute “ (other than subsection (3) and as if the words “Subject to subsection (3) below,” were omitted); but that section does not apply ”;

(b)after subsection (2) insert—

(2A)In its application in relation to confiscation orders, subsection (2) of section 219 of the Procedure Act is to be read as if for the Table in that subsection there were substituted the following Table—

Amount to be Paid under Compensation OrderMaximum Period of Imprisonment
£10,000 or less6 months
More than £10,000 but no more than £500,0005 years
More than £500,000 but no more than £1 million7 years
More than £1 million14 years

(2B)The Scottish Ministers may by order—

(a)amend section 219(2) of the Procedure Act (as applied by this section) so as to provide for minimum periods of imprisonment in respect of amounts ordered to be paid under a confiscation order;

(b)amend the Table in subsection (2A) so as to remove, alter or replace any entry (including an entry inserted by virtue of paragraph (a) of this subsection) or to add any entry;

(c)apply (with or without modifications) any provision of the Procedure Act relating to enforcement of fines in consequence of exercising the power in paragraph (a) or (b) (including modifying any such provision in its application in relation to confiscation orders by virtue of this section).

(2C)In its application in relation to a confiscation order under Part 2 of this Act, subsection (8) of section 222 of the Procedure Act is to be read as if, in relation to a transfer of fine order under section 90 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980, for “139 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000” there were substituted “ 35(2A) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 ”.

(2D)In its application in relation to a confiscation order under Part 4 of this Act, subsection (8) of section 222 of the Procedure Act is to be read as if—

(a)before the words “section 90” there were inserted “section 35 of the Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1945,”;

(b)in relation to a transfer of fine order under section 35 of that Act, for “139 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000” there were substituted “ 185(2A) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 ”.

(2)In section 459 of that Act (orders and regulations)—

(a)after subsection (3) insert—

(3A)Subsection (3) does not apply to the power of the Scottish Ministers to make an order under section 118(2B).;

(b)in subsection (5)(a), after “section” insert “ 118(2B), ”;

(c)in subsection (6)(b), after “section” insert “ 118(2B), ”.

(3)In section 219 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (fines: periods of imprisonment for non-payment), in subsection (8)(b), after “section 118(2)” insert “ , (2A) and (2B) ”.

Commencement Information

I6S. 19 in force at 1.3.2016 by S.S.I. 2016/11, reg. 2(d) (with reg. 3)

20Conditions for exercise of restraint order powersS

(1)In section 119 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (conditions for exercise of powers), in subsection (2)(b), for “is reasonable cause to believe” substitute “ are reasonable grounds to suspect ”.

(2)In section 120 of that Act (restraint orders etc), after subsection (6) insert—

(6A)Subsections (6B) and (6C) apply where the court makes a restraint order (by virtue of the first condition in section 119) as a result of a criminal investigation having been instituted in Scotland with regard to an offence.

(6B)The court—

(a)must include in the order a requirement for the applicant for the order to report to the court on the progress of the investigation at such times and in such manner as the order may specify (a “reporting requirement”), and

(b)must recall the order if proceedings for the offence are not instituted within a reasonable time (and this duty applies whether or not an application to recall the order is made under section 121(5)).

(6C)The duty under subsection (6B)(a) does not apply if the court decides that, in the circumstances of the case, a reporting requirement should not be imposed, but the court—

(a)must give reasons for its decision, and

(b)may at any time vary the order so as to include a reporting requirement (and this power applies whether or not an application to vary the order is made under section 121(5)).

Commencement Information

I7S. 20 in force at 1.3.2016 by S.S.I. 2016/11, reg. 2(e)

21Continuation of restraint order after conviction quashed or verdict set asideS

In section 121 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (application, recall and variation), after subsection (8) insert—

(8A)The duty in subsection (8) to recall a restraint order on the conclusion of proceedings does not apply where—

(a)the proceedings are concluded by reason of—

(i)an accused's conviction for an offence being quashed under section 118(1)(c) of the Procedure Act, or

(ii)the setting aside of the verdict against the accused under section 183(1)(d) of the Procedure Act,

(b)the restraint order is in force at the time when the conviction is quashed or the verdict set aside (as the case may be), and

(c)the High Court of Justiciary has granted authority under section 118(1)(c) or 183(1)(d) of the Procedure Act to bring a new prosecution or the prosecutor has requested that the court grant such authority.

(8B)But the court must recall the restraint order—

(a)if the High Court of Justiciary refuses a request to grant authority under section 118(1)(c) or 183(1)(d) of the Procedure Act to bring a new prosecution,

(b)if the High Court of Justiciary has granted authority under section 118(1)(c) or 183(1)(d) of the Procedure Act to bring a new prosecution but no proceedings are commenced by the expiry of the time mentioned in section 119(5) or 185(5) of that Act (as the case may be), or

(c)otherwise, on the conclusion of the proceedings in the new prosecution of the accused under section 119 or 185 of the Procedure Act.

Commencement Information

I8S. 21 in force at 1.3.2016 by S.S.I. 2016/11, reg. 2(f)

22Conditions for exercise of search and seizure powersS

(1)In section 127B of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (conditions for exercise of powers), in subsection (2)(d), for “is reasonable cause to believe” substitute “ are reasonable grounds to suspect ”.

(2)In section 127G of that Act (“appropriate approval”), before paragraph (b) of subsection (3) insert—

(ab)in relation to the exercise of a power by a National Crime Agency officer, the Director General of the National Crime Agency or any other National Crime Agency officer authorised by the Director General (whether generally or specifically) for this purpose,.

Commencement Information

I9S. 22 in force at 1.3.2016 by S.S.I. 2016/11, reg. 2(g)

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open The Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the government department responsible for the subject matter of the Act to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Public Acts except Appropriation, Consolidated Fund, Finance and Consolidation Acts.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources