If a financial restraint order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) has been made against you, you should seek legal representation immediately. Contact our criminal defence team on 01772 220 022 or make an online enquiry.

Restraint orders are often imposed in fraud or drugs cases or any other matters where it is alleged that there has been some form of criminal financial benefit, and are utilised to freeze and thereby preserve assets which may be the subject of subsequent confiscation proceedings. An order will prohibit the person or persons named in the order from disposing of or dealing with realisable property held by him, whether or not he is the suspected offender, and will generally include assets acquired after the restraint order has come into effect. As such restraint orders can be extremely damaging to an individual or to a business, and it is crucial to obtain speedy and reliable advice regarding the validity and extent of an order, and whether there may be grounds to challenge the making of the order, or its terms, by way of application for its variation or discharge. For instance, allowances may be made from an individual's assets to enable living and other expenses to be met and such can be the subject of application to the court.

It is therefore important to speak to a solicitor if you have been served with a restraint order to ensure you fully understand it as to breach the order can have serious consequences. If you are concerned that you may have breached a restraining order intentionally or unknowingly it is vital that you contact an experience criminal defence solicitor as you could be in contempt of court by doing so. Get in touch here.