23(1)The High Court may in accordance with this paragraph by an order (referred to in this Part of this Schedule as a “restraint order”) prohibit any person, subject to such conditions and exceptions as may be specified in the order, from dealing with any property liable to forfeiture, that is to say, any property in respect of which a forfeiture order has been made or in respect of which such an order could be made in the proceedings referred to in sub-paragraph (2) or (3) below.
(2)A restraint order may be made where—
(a)proceedings have been instituted against a defendant in Northern Ireland for an offence under Part III of this Act;
(b)the proceedings have not been concluded; and
(c)either a forfeiture order has been made or it appears to the court that there are reasonable grounds for thinking that a forfeiture order may be made in those proceedings.
(3)A restraint order may also be made where—
(a)the High Court is satisfied that, whether by the making of a complaint or otherwise, a person is to be charged in Northern Ireland with an offence under Part III of this Act; and
(b)it appears to the court that a forfeiture order may be made in proceedings for the offence.
(4)In the application of the provisions of this Part of this Schedule at a time when a restraint order may be made by virtue of sub-paragraph (3) above references to the prosecution shall be construed as references to the person who the High Court is satisfied is to have the conduct of the proposed proceedings.
(5)Where the High Court has made an order under this paragraph by virtue of sub-paragraph (3) above the court may discharge the order if proceedings in respect of the offence are not instituted (whether by the making of a complaint or otherwise) within such time as the court considers reasonable.
(6)For the purposes of this paragraph, dealing with property includes, without prejudice to the generality of that expression—
(a)where a debt is owed to the person concerned, making a payment to any person in reduction of the amount of the debt; and
(b)removing the property from the jurisdiction of the High Court.
(7)In exercising the powers conferred by this paragraph the High Court shall not take account of any obligations of any person having an interest in the property subject to the restraint order which might frustrate the making of a forfeiture order.
(8)For the purposes of this paragraph proceedings for an offence are instituted—
(a)when a summons or a warrant is issued under Article 20 of the [S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I.26).] Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 in respect of that offence;
(b)when a person is charged with the offence after being taken into custody without a warrant;
(c)when an indictment is presented under section 2(2)(c), (e) or (f) of the [1969 c. 15 (N.I).] Grand Jury (Abolition) Act (Northern Ireland) 1969;
and where the application of this sub-paragraph would result in there being more than one time for the institution of proceedings they shall be taken to be instituted at the earliest of those times.
(9)For the purposes of this paragraph and paragraph 24 below proceedings are concluded—
(a)when a forfeiture order has been made in those proceedings and effect has been given to it in respect of all the money or other property to which it applies; or
(b)when (disregarding any power of a court to grant leave to appeal out of time) there is no further possibility of a forfeiture order being made in the proceedings.