Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, section 82

Free property

Part 2 Confiscation: England and Wales

[F346 (1)Property is free unless it falls within subsection (2) or (3).F346]

[F347 (2)F347] [F348 Property falls within this subsection ifF348] an order is in force in respect of it under any of these provisions—

(a)section 27 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (c. 38) (forfeiture orders);

(b)Article 11 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 (S.I. 1994/2795 (N.I. 15)) (deprivation orders);

(c)Part 2 of the Proceeds of Crime (Scotland) Act 1995 (c. 43) (forfeiture of property used in crime);

(d)section 143 of [F349the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 or Chapter 4 of Part 7 of the Sentencing CodeF349] (deprivation orders);

(e)section 23 [F350, 23AF350] or 111 of the Terrorism Act 2000 (c. 11) (forfeiture orders);

[F351 (ea)paragraph 3(2), 6(2), 10D(1), 10G(2), 10J(3), 10S(2) [F352 , 10Z2(3), 10Z7AG(1), 10Z7BB(2), 10Z7CA(3), 10Z7CE(3) or 10Z7DG(3)F352] of Schedule 1 to the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001;F351]

(f)section [F353245A, F353] 246, [F354255A, 256,F354] 266, 295(2) [F355, 298(2), 303L(1), 303O(3), 303R(3), 303Z3 [F356 , 303Z14(4), 303Z32(1), 303Z37(2), 303Z41(4), 303Z45(3) or 303Z60(4)F356,F355]] of this Act.

[F357 (3)Property falls within this subsection if—

(a)it has been forfeited in pursuance of a forfeiture notice under section 297A [F358 or an account forfeiture notice under section 303Z9F358] ;

(b)it is detained under section 297C [F359 , 297D [F360 , 298(4) or 303O(9)F360,F359]] .F357]

[F361 (ba)it is detained under section 303Z30, 303Z31 or 303Z32 in a case where section 303Z42(2) applies;

(bb)it is detained under section 303Z57 or 303Z58 in a case where section 303Z60(6) applies;F361]

[F362 (c)it is the forfeitable property in relation to an order under section 303Q(1) [F363 or 303Z44(1)F363] .F362]

[F364 (d)it has been forfeited in pursuance of a cash forfeiture notice under paragraph 5A of Schedule 1 to the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 or an account forfeiture notice under paragraph 10W of that Schedule;

(e)it is detained under paragraph 5B, 5C, 9A or 10G(7) of that Schedule;

[F365 (ea)it is detained under paragraph 10Z7AE, 10Z7AF or 10Z7AG of that Schedule in a case where paragraph 10Z7CB(2) of that Schedule applies;

(eb)it is detained under paragraph 10Z7DD or 10Z7DE of that Schedule in a case where paragraph 10Z7DG(5) of that Schedule applies;F365]

(f)it is the forfeitable property in relation to an order under paragraph 10I(1) [F366 or 10Z7CD(1)F366] of that Schedule.F364]

Cases considering section 82 12

Walker, R v

[2011] EWCA Crim 103 · 24 January 2011

The respondent’s vested life interest in one third of the trust fund was free property. His discretionary prospect of a capital appointment was not. (see paras [16]; [18]; [27])

Crown Prosecution Service v Aquila Advisory Ltd

[2021] UKSC 49 · 3 November 2021Defines

Property is free property unless it falls within a statutory exception. This definition informs calculation of the defendant’s available amount (see para [32]).

R v Ahmad and another

[2014] UKSC 36 · 18 June 2014Defines

These provisions identify forfeiture and deprivation orders which prevent property from being treated as free property when calculating the available amount. (see para [29])

What each judgment says about section 82 is in the case-law panel in the full Act.

Explanatory note

146.Section 82 introduces the new concept of free property as any property that is not subject to certain kinds of forfeiture and deprivation orders. The underlying principle is that property already subject to one of these orders made in earlier proceedings should not be included in the calculation of the amount available for confiscation because it is already accounted for. In addition, property is not free if it is subject to certain orders under Part 5 of the Act on civil recovery. Section 83 defines realisable property by reference to the free property of the defendant and the recipient of a tainted gift. Section 84(1) defines property in very wide terms.

282.These definitional sections essentially reproduce for Northern Ireland the same definitions as those contained at sections 82 to87 of this Act. The only differences in text are a result of references to the equivalent Northern Ireland legislation or comparable provisions of this Act.

All the explanatory notes for the Act

Amendments and notes

22 notes from legislation.gov.uk

Amendments

  1. F346S. 82(1) inserted (1.6.2015) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), s. 116(1), Sch. 7 para. 101(2); S.I. 2015/983, arts. 2(2)(e), 3(ff)
  2. F347S. 82(2): s. 82 renumbered as s. 82(2) (1.6.2015) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), s. 116(1), Sch. 7 para. 101(3); S.I. 2015/983, arts. 2(2)(e), 3(ff)
  3. F348Words in s. 82(2) substituted (1.6.2015) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), s. 116(1), Sch. 7 para. 101(4); S.I. 2015/983, arts. 2(2)(e), 3(ff)
  4. F349Words in s. 82(2)(d) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 196 (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
  5. F350Word in s. 82(e) inserted (18.6.2009) by Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 (c. 28), s. 100(5), Sch. 3 para. 7(3) (with s. 101(2)); S.I. 2009/1256, art. 2(c)
  6. F351S. 82(2)(ea) inserted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 31.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), ss. 34(2)(a), 58(1)(6); S.I. 2018/78, reg. 3(s)
  7. F352Words in s. 82(2)(ea) substituted (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), Sch. 9 para. 3(3)(a)(i); S.I. 2024/269, reg. 4(b)(i)(ii); S.I. 2024/1108, reg. 2
  8. F353Word in s. 82(f) inserted (1.1.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 6 para. 5(a); S.I. 2005/3136, art. 3(c)
  9. F354Words in s. 82(f) inserted (1.1.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 6 para. 5(b); S.I. 2005/3136, art. 3(c)
  10. F355Words in s. 82(2)(f) substituted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 31.1.2018 for specified purposes, 16.4.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), s. 58(5)(6), Sch. 5 para. 22(2); S.I. 2018/78, reg. 5(3)(a)(i)(ii)
  11. F356Words in s. 82(2)(f) substituted (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), Sch. 9 para. 3(3)(a)(ii); S.I. 2024/269, reg. 4(b)(i)(ii); S.I. 2024/1108, reg. 2
  12. F357S. 82(3) inserted (1.6.2015) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), s. 116(1), Sch. 7 para. 101(5); S.I. 2015/983, arts. 2(2)(e), 3(ff)
  13. F358Words in s. 82(3)(a) inserted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 31.1.2018 for specified purposes, 16.4.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), s. 58(5)(6), Sch. 5 para. 22(3)(a); S.I. 2018/78, reg. 5(3)(a)(i)(ii)
  14. F359Words in s. 82(3)(b) substituted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 31.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), ss. 34(2)(b), 58(1)(6); S.I. 2018/78, reg. 3(s)
  15. F360Words in s. 82(3)(b) substituted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 31.1.2018 for specified purposes, 16.4.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), s. 58(5)(6), Sch. 5 para. 22(3)(b); S.I. 2018/78, reg. 5(3)(a)(i)(ii)
  16. F361S. 82(3)(ba)(bb) 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), Sch. 9 para. 3(3)(b)(i); S.I. 2024/269, reg. 4(b)(i)(ii); S.I. 2024/1108, reg. 2
  17. F362S. 82(3)(c) inserted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 31.1.2018 for specified purposes, 16.4.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), s. 58(5)(6), Sch. 5 para. 22(3)(c); S.I. 2018/78, reg. 5(3)(a)(i)(ii)
  18. F363Words in s. 82(3)(c) 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), Sch. 9 para. 3(3)(b)(ii); S.I. 2024/269, reg. 4(b)(i)(ii); S.I. 2024/1108, reg. 2
  19. F364S. 82(3)(d)-(f) inserted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 31.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), ss. 34(2)(c), 58(1)(6); S.I. 2018/78, reg. 3(s)
  20. F365S. 82(3)(ea)(eb) inserted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 26.4.2024 for S. for specified purposes, 26.4.2024 or 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), Sch. 9 para. 3(3)(b)(iii); S.I. 2024/269, reg. 4(b)(i)(ii); S.I. 2024/1108, reg. 2
  21. F366Words in s. 82(3)(f) 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), Sch. 9 para. 3(3)(b)(iv); S.I. 2024/269, reg. 4(b)(i)(ii); S.I. 2024/1108, reg. 2

Commencement

  1. I72S. 82 in force at 24.3.2003 by S.I. 2003/333, art. 2, Sch.