Nicola Sharp considers UWOs and proceeds of crime
To say unexplained wealth orders (UWOs) have not proved to be massively popular is something of an understatement.
Introduced by the Criminal Finances Act 2017 to enable law enforcement agencies to compel individuals or companies to explain how they obtained certain assets when they were believed to have been obtained illegally, they were viewed as an important development.
What do UWOs do?
With UWOs enabling authorities to start civil recovery proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 if they did not receive a satisfactory explanation as to how someone acquired a particular asset – even if no civil or criminal proceedings had been brought against ...
Their arrival was heralded by the press – which, taking inspiration from a TV drama, dubbed them McMafia Orders.
