The Proceeds of Crime (Northern Ireland) Order 1996

Increase in realisable property

21.—(1) This Article applies where by virtue of Article 8(2) or (3) the amount which a person is ordered to pay by a confiscation order is less than the benefit in respect of which it is made or, as the case may be, the amount assessed to be the value of his proceeds of drug trafficking.

(2) If, on an application made in accordance with paragraph (3), the High Court is satisfied that the amount that might be realised in the case of the person in question is greater than the amount taken into account in making the confiscation order (whether it was greater than was thought when the order was made or has subsequently increased), the Court shall issue a certificate to that effect, giving the Court’s reasons.

(3) An application under paragraph (2) may be made either by the prosecution or by a receiver appointed under this Order in relation to the realisable property of the person in question under Article 31 or 34 or in pursuance of a charging order.

(4) Where a certificate has been issued under paragraph (2) the prosecution may apply—

(a) where the confiscation order was made by the Crown Court, to that Court; and

(b) where the confiscation order was made by a court of summary jurisdiction, to a court of summary jurisdiction for the same county court division,

for an increase in the amount to be recovered under the confiscation order.

(5) The Crown Court may, on an application under paragraph (4)—

(a) substitute for the amount to be recovered under the confiscation order such amount (not exceeding the amount of the benefit in respect of which it is made or, as the case may be, the amount assessed as the value of the proceeds of drug trafficking) as appears to the Court to be appropriate having regard to the amount now shown to be realisable; and

(b) increase the term of imprisonment or detention fixed in respect of the confiscation order under section 35(1)(c) of the [1945 c. 15 (N.I.).] Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1945 (as it has effect by virtue of Article 13) if the effect of the substitution is to increase the maximum period applicable in relation to the order under subsection (2) of that section.

(6) A court of summary jurisdiction may, on an application under paragraph (4), substitute for the amount to be recovered under the order such amount (not exceeding the amount of the benefit in respect of which it is made) as appears to the court to be appropriate having regard to the amount now shown to be realisable.