Part 5

Civil recovery of the proceeds etc. of unlawful conduct
CHAPTER 3C

Recovery of cryptoassets: searches, seizure and detention

Seizure and detention of cryptoasset-related items

Further detention of seized cryptoassets
303Z32
1
The period for which cryptoassets seized under section
303Z29
may be detained may be extended by an order made—
a
in England and Wales or Northern Ireland, by a magistrates’ court;
b
in Scotland, by the sheriff.
2
An order under subsection
(1)
may not authorise the detention of any cryptoassets—
a
beyond the end of the period of 6 months beginning with the date of the order, and
b
in the case of any further order under this section, beyond the end of the period of 2 years beginning with the date of the first order; but this is subject to subsection
(4)
.
3
A justice of the peace may also exercise the power of a magistrates’ court to make the first order under subsection
(1)
.
4
The court or sheriff may make an order for the period of 2 years in subsection
(2)(b)
to be extended to a period of up to 3 years beginning with the date of the first order.
5
An application for an order under subsection
(1)
or
(4)
may be made—
a
in relation to England and Wales and Northern Ireland, by—
i
the Commissioners for His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs,
ii
a constable,
iii
an SFO officer, or
iv
an accredited financial investigator who falls within a description specified in an order made for the purposes of this Chapter by the Secretary of State or the Welsh Ministers under section 453,
b
in relation to Scotland, by the Scottish Ministers in connection with their functions under section
303Z41
or by a procurator fiscal.
6
The court, sheriff or justice may make an order under subsection
(1)
if satisfied, in relation to the cryptoassets to be further detained, that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the cryptoassets are recoverable property or intended by any person for use in unlawful conduct.
7
The court or sheriff may make an order under subsection
(4)
if satisfied that a request for assistance is outstanding in relation to the cryptoassets to be further detained.
8
A “request for assistance” in subsection
(7)
means a request for assistance in obtaining evidence (including information in any form or article) in connection with the cryptoassets to be further detained, made—
a
by a judicial authority in the United Kingdom under section 7 of the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003,
b
by an enforcement officer, to an authority exercising equivalent functions in a foreign country,
c
by the Scottish Ministers in connection with their functions under this Part, to an authority exercising equivalent functions in a foreign country, or
d
by a person under section 375A or 408A (evidence overseas).
9
An order under subsection
(1)
must provide for notice to be given to persons affected by the order.
Pt. 5 Chs. 3C-3F inserted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 26.4.2024 for S. for specified purposes, 26.4.2024 for E.W.N.I. in so far as not already in force, 7.11.2024 for S. in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b)(c), Sch. 9 para. 1; S.I. 2024/269, reg. 4(b)(i)(ii); S.I. 2024/1108, reg. 2
Pt. 5 Ch. 3C applied (with modifications) (26.4.2025) by S.I. 2005/3181, art. 213Z19 (as inserted by The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (External Investigations and External Orders and Requests) (Amendment) Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/1127), arts. 1(2), 14)