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In The Matter of Edwards v In The Matter of The Drug Trafficking Act 1994: Admn 4 Jul 2011

The claimant’s husband was a defendant in drug trafficking proceedings. Anticipating a claim against family homes, the claimant sought a declaration that she held a 50% interest in them. Judges: Cranston J Citations: [2011] EWHC 1688 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Drug Trafficking Act 1994 Criminal Sentencing, Trusts Updated: 15 September 2022; Ref: scu.441415

Ali, Re Drug Trafficking Act 1994: CA 4 Oct 2002

Renewed application for permission to appeal a decision refusing the applicant’s application for a certificate of inadequacy under section 17 of the Drug Trafficking Act 1994. Citations: [2002] EWCA Civ 1450 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 01 July 2022; Ref: scu.217629

Regina v Morgan: CACD 5 Apr 1994

No guideline for laundering of proceeds of drugs – too wide variation. Citations: Times 05-Apr-1994 Statutes: Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986 24(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 26 October 2022; Ref: scu.87381

Regina v Richardson, Regina v Teixeira etc: CACD 4 Apr 1994

Richardson, was described as ‘an important member of the team’ with a ‘highly significant role in the whole enterprise’ of importing drugs to a street value of andpound;50 million, that is, 44 kgs of cocaine on one occasion and 144 kgs on another, plus 2 tons of cannabis. Held: Levels of sentencing for most serious … Continue reading Regina v Richardson, Regina v Teixeira etc: CACD 4 Apr 1994

Attoney-General’s Reference No 4 of 2003 Under S. 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988; Suchedina: CACD 21 Jul 2004

Conspiracy to convert or transfer the proceeds of drug trafficking or of criminal conduct – confiscation order available. The statutory distinction existed between the proceeds of drug trafficking and of crime generally had now been removed, but the conduct here pre-dated the new Act. The offence of conspiracy took place at the time of the … Continue reading Attoney-General’s Reference No 4 of 2003 Under S. 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988; Suchedina: CACD 21 Jul 2004

In re Woking Urban District Council (Basingstoke Canal) Act 1911: CA 1914

The court discussed why marginal notes are not to be used as an aid for stautory interpretation: ‘I am aware of the general rule of law as to marginal notes, at any rate in public general Acts of Parliament; but that rule is founded, as will be seen on reference to the cases, upon the … Continue reading In re Woking Urban District Council (Basingstoke Canal) Act 1911: CA 1914

In Re L: Admn 23 Jun 2010

Application for certificate of inadequacy. Judges: Hickinbottom J Citations: [2010] EWHC 1531 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Drug Trafficking Act 1994 17 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 20 December 2022; Ref: scu.417772

Gibson, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: SC 24 Jan 2018

The appellant had been sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and a confiscation order pounds 5.4m with six years in default. Small payments were made later by his receivers, but the interest had taken the total sums due over pounds 8m at the time of payments. The Court was asked say whether when calculating the credit … Continue reading Gibson, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: SC 24 Jan 2018

Gibson, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: CA 11 Nov 2015

‘The issue in the case is whether the words ‘the said sum . . as was due at the time the period of detention was imposed’ in section 79(2) of the Magistrates’ Court Act (MCA) 1980 should be construed in the case of confiscation orders made under the Drug Trafficking Act 1994 (DTA) as meaning … Continue reading Gibson, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: CA 11 Nov 2015

H M Customs and Excise and Another v MCA and Another: 18 Apr 2002

The court held that they were not precluded by an application made under the 1994 Act against assets of the husband from making an order in favour of the wife under the 1973 Act. The court discharged the Receiver appointed under section 29(2) DTA 1994 and dismissed an application by HM Customs and Excise for … Continue reading H M Customs and Excise and Another v MCA and Another: 18 Apr 2002

Regina v Luton Justices ex parte Abecasis: Admn 29 Jun 1999

Citations: [1999] EWHC Admin 613 Links: Bailii Statutes: Drug Trafficking Act 1994 42(1), Magistrates Courts (Detention and Forfeiture of Drug Trafficking Cash) Rules 1991 (1991 No 1923) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Appeal from – Regina v Luton Justices ex parte Abecasis CA 30-Mar-2000 Although the rules specified that a form should be used … Continue reading Regina v Luton Justices ex parte Abecasis: Admn 29 Jun 1999

Regina v Luton Justices ex parte Abecasis: CA 30 Mar 2000

Although the rules specified that a form should be used when making application to extend the time for which money could be held pending an application under the Act for its forfeiture, there was no enforceable duty to prove that the form had been used, and its absence was not a fatal flaw in the … Continue reading Regina v Luton Justices ex parte Abecasis: CA 30 Mar 2000

Crown Prosecution Service v Lawrence: Admn 13 Mar 2013

The central issue in these proceedings has been the question of who is the beneficial owner of a property Judges: King J Citations: [2013] EWHC 501 (Admin), [2013] Lloyd’s Rep FC 262 Links: Bailii Statutes: Drug Trafficking Act 1994 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 14 November 2022; Ref: scu.471681

Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office v Briggs-Price and Another: CA 14 Jun 2007

Citations: [2007] EWCA Civ 568 Links: Bailii Statutes: Drug Trafficking Act 1994 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Appeal From – Briggs-Price, Regina v HL 29-Apr-2009 The applicant appealed against a confiscation order made on the basis of evidence obtained for and given in a trial that he had profited from the importation of cannabis. … Continue reading Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office v Briggs-Price and Another: CA 14 Jun 2007

Regina v Berry: CACD 20 Oct 1999

In the absence of evidence from the defendant as to the value of the drugs found, where the quantity was substantial it was right to apply some discount, in this case twenty per cent, on the basis that he would have received some wholesale discount, before making a confiscation order. Citations: Times 20-Oct-1999 Statutes: Drug … Continue reading Regina v Berry: CACD 20 Oct 1999

Regina v MacMaster: CACD 28 Oct 1998

The conversion of cash from one currency into another can of itself constitute the offence of facilitating the retention or control of the benefits of drug trafficking irrespective of the purpose of the conversion. The words in the statute are not limited. Citations: Gazette 04-Nov-1998, Times 28-Oct-1998, [1998] EWCA Crim 2824 Statutes: Drug Trafficking Act … Continue reading Regina v MacMaster: CACD 28 Oct 1998

Regina v Shevki and Another: CACD 14 Dec 2000

The making of a confiscation order is part of sentencing. Such an order might be delayed provided the determination was made within six months of conviction. If in the circumstances of the case of an adjournment beyond that period was necessary, whether or not the information gathering process had been completed, an extension of time … Continue reading Regina v Shevki and Another: CACD 14 Dec 2000

Piper v The United Kingdom: ECHR 21 Apr 2015

ECHR Article 41 Just satisfaction Absence of award in respect of non-pecuniary damage where delays in confiscation proceedings were mainly attributable to applicant Facts – In June 2001 the applicant was found guilty of drug-trafficking offences and sentenced to fourteen years’ imprisonment (he was released in 2006). By virtue of his conviction he became liable … Continue reading Piper v The United Kingdom: ECHR 21 Apr 2015

Regina v Montilla, Newbury etc: CACD 3 Nov 2003

The Crown appealed a decision that a conviction under subsection 2 required proof that the money the disposal of which the defendant was accused to have assisted was in fact the proceeds of drug trafficking. Held: Subsections 1 and 2 were clearly differently worded. Under section 1 it was necessary to prove that the goods … Continue reading Regina v Montilla, Newbury etc: CACD 3 Nov 2003

Walsh v Commissioners of Customs and Excise: QBD 4 Jul 2001

When the customs seized cash under the section on the suspicion that it might be the proceeds of drug trafficking, the time limit imposed by the section for the return of the money if continued retention was not authorised, was strict. They had 48 hours within which to obtain authority. Money was seized at 11:30am … Continue reading Walsh v Commissioners of Customs and Excise: QBD 4 Jul 2001

Commissioners of Customs and Excise v A; A v A: FD 18 Apr 2002

The husband had been convicted of trafficking in cannabis, and an order had been made confiscating his assets. His wife had already petitioned for divorce and begun ancillary relief proceedings. She claimed that her interest in the house under section 24 of the Act was protected. The receiver sought sale of the house to recover … Continue reading Commissioners of Customs and Excise v A; A v A: FD 18 Apr 2002

Regina v Dover Magistrates’ Court ex parte Webb: Admn 18 Mar 1998

The defendant appealed against a forfeiture order, saying that it had been made under the 1990 Act which had been repealed. Held: The wrong naming of the section did not invalidate the decision. Judges: Lord Bingham of Cornhill LCJ, Dyson J Citations: [1998] EWHC Admin 332 Statutes: Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Act 1990, Drug Trafficking … Continue reading Regina v Dover Magistrates’ Court ex parte Webb: Admn 18 Mar 1998

Valentine v Regina: CACD 10 Nov 2006

The defendant appealed his sentence for conspiracy to supply counterfeit drugs. Held: The defendant need only serve the sentence if he failed to pay a penalty which the court had decided he could afford to pay. Appeal dismissed. Judges: Scott Baker LJ, Holland J, Loraine-Smith J Citations: [2006] EWCA Crim 2717 Links: Bailii Statutes: Medicines … Continue reading Valentine v Regina: CACD 10 Nov 2006

Mckinsley v Crown Prosecution Service: CA 25 Jul 2006

The defendant had been made subject to a confiscation order. He now sought a certificate of inadequacy. Held: The appeal failed. The procedure for obtaining a certificate of inadequacy related only to circumstances arising following the confiscation order. The Acts provided a proper avenue of appeal against the order itself, and the use of this … Continue reading Mckinsley v Crown Prosecution Service: CA 25 Jul 2006

Ali, Hussain, Khan, Bhatti, Regina v: CACD 7 Jun 2005

The defendants appealed against their convictions for conspiracy to launder money under section 49(2) of the 1994 Act. The appellants said that the effect of the decision in Montila, alongside sections 1(1) and 1(2) of the 1997 Act, was that a person could not be guilty of a conspiracy to commit an offence against section … Continue reading Ali, Hussain, Khan, Bhatti, Regina v: CACD 7 Jun 2005

Sekhon, etc v Regina: CACD 16 Dec 2002

The defendants appealed against confiscation orders on the basis that in various ways, the Crown had failed to comply with procedural requirements. Held: The courts must remember the importance of such procedures in the fight against crime, and must not allow procedural or technical failures to defeat that purpose. Courts should rather look to see … Continue reading Sekhon, etc v Regina: CACD 16 Dec 2002

Commissioners of Customs and Excise v Duffy and Others: QBD 1 Mar 2002

The three defendants were stopped on their way to Malaga. Each carried andpound;7,000 or andpound;6,000. Their explanations were not accepted, and the money was seized under the Act. The magistrates ordered it to be returned, and Customs appealed. Held: It was not proper to aggregate the sums under the Act so as to reach a … Continue reading Commissioners of Customs and Excise v Duffy and Others: QBD 1 Mar 2002

Regina v Gulbir Rana Singh: CACD 18 Dec 2003

The defendant appealed conviction on three counts of conspiracy to launder money. The prosecution said that he and his co-accused engaged in money laundering between June 1999 and March 2000. Each count alleged that he and his co-conspirators engaged in transactions which were prohibited by section 49(2)(b) of the Drug Trafficking Act 1994 and section … Continue reading Regina v Gulbir Rana Singh: CACD 18 Dec 2003

Crown Prosecution Service v Iqbal: Admn 19 May 2022

Application under section 16(2) of the Drug Trafficking Act 1994 (‘the DTA 1994’) for a certificate of increase to certify that the amount that might be realised in the case of the Defendant is greater than the amount taken into account in making the confiscation order, where the amount which the Defendant had been ordered … Continue reading Crown Prosecution Service v Iqbal: Admn 19 May 2022

Crown Prosecution Service v Compton, Comptons of Brighton Limited, Coyne, Compton: CA 27 Nov 2002

Appeal against refusal of restraint order. Held: It is enough that on the documents a good arguable case arises for treating the relevant assets as the realisable property of the defendant. Lord Justice Simon Brown said: ‘All that I think it appropriate on this appeal to add by way of comment on the approach to … Continue reading Crown Prosecution Service v Compton, Comptons of Brighton Limited, Coyne, Compton: CA 27 Nov 2002

Regina v Benjafield, Regina v Leal, Regina v Rezvi, Regina v Milford: HL 24 Jan 2002

Statutory provisions which reversed the burden of proof in cases involving drug smuggling and other repeat offenders, allowing confiscation orders to be made were not necessarily in contravention of the article 6 right. However the question of whether the statutory provision infringed the right to a fair trial was for each particular case which came … Continue reading Regina v Benjafield, Regina v Leal, Regina v Rezvi, Regina v Milford: HL 24 Jan 2002

Regina v Rezvi: HL 24 Jan 2002

Having been convicted of theft, a confiscation order had been made against which the appellant appealed. The Court of Appeal certified a question of whether confiscation provisions under the 1988 Act were in breach of the defendant’s human rights. Are applications for confiscation orders criminal proceedings under the Convention, and if so do the assumptions … Continue reading Regina v Rezvi: HL 24 Jan 2002

Hughes and Others v HM Customs and Excise: Admn 21 Dec 2001

The applicants had either been acquitted of drugs trafficking offences, or were third parties. In each case, property had been taken into receivership, and orders had been made for the receivers to take their costs from the assets taken. The proprietors appealed that part of the orders. Held: The receiver is an officer of the … Continue reading Hughes and Others v HM Customs and Excise: Admn 21 Dec 2001

Phillips v United Kingdom: ECHR 5 Jul 2001

Having been convicted of drug trafficking, an application was made for a confiscation under the 1994 Act. On the civil balance of proof, and applying the assumptions under the Act, an order was made. The applicant claimed that his article 6 rights had been infringed. The respondent government said the application for an order was … Continue reading Phillips v United Kingdom: ECHR 5 Jul 2001

Regina v Benjafield, Leal, Rezvi and Milford: CACD 21 Dec 2000

Lord Woolf MR said that where the original proceedings are brought by a public authority, an appeal is part of those proceedings to which section 22(4) applies: ‘In our judgment, where the original proceedings are brought by, or at the instigation of, a public authority, as is the case with a prosecution, an appeal by … Continue reading Regina v Benjafield, Leal, Rezvi and Milford: CACD 21 Dec 2000

Commissioners of Customs and Excise v A: A v A: CA 22 Jul 2002

The Customs appealed an order allowing a judge in divorce ancillary relief proceedings to make an order transferring the matrimonial home and two life policies in such a way as would defeat their attempt to enforce recovery under the 1994 Act. Held: The customs had not established that the 1994 had any statutory priority. Both … Continue reading Commissioners of Customs and Excise v A: A v A: CA 22 Jul 2002

Regina v October: CACD 27 Feb 2003

The court had adjourned its proceedings in the absence of the defendant, so as not to fall foul of the requirement that a confiscation inquiry must take place within six months of conviction. The defendant appealed. Held: The court could exercise its common law power to adjourn. The statutory power could only be exercised where … Continue reading Regina v October: CACD 27 Feb 2003

Regina v Metcalfe and Another: CACD 21 Dec 2004

The defendants appealed confiscation orders for drug trafficking where there had been a finding that of the tablets sold as ecstacy, probably only one tablet in a million was actually a class A controlled drug. Held:The Act required there to be shown that the defendant had ‘received any payment . . . . In connection … Continue reading Regina v Metcalfe and Another: CACD 21 Dec 2004

Webb v The United Kingdom: ECHR 10 Feb 2004

The Court rejected the applicant’s contention that the proceedings involved a ‘criminal charge’ and resulted in the imposition of a penalty or punishment. The forfeiture was preventative and not a penal sanction. Accordingly it was permissible that, pursuant to section 43(3), the standard of proof required to justify forfeiture was that applicable to civil proceedings. … Continue reading Webb v The United Kingdom: ECHR 10 Feb 2004

Butler v United Kingdom: ECHR 27 Jun 2002

A substantial confiscation order was made with respect to money seized from the applicant on the ground that customs officers believed the money was directly or indirectly the proceeds of drugs trafficking and/or was intended for use in drug trafficking. The applicant contended that a court, when considering whether to make a forfeiture order in … Continue reading Butler v United Kingdom: ECHR 27 Jun 2002

Regina v Lingham: CACD 2 Jun 2000

Although a court normally has the power to determine when and how to deal with its own cases, a Crown Court dealing with an application for confiscation of assets under the Act, had to determine the case within the six month time limit unless it was satisfied that the circumstances were exceptional and an adjournment … Continue reading Regina v Lingham: CACD 2 Jun 2000

In Re P (Restraint Order) (Sale of Assets): CA 2 Aug 1999

An interim receiver under the Act was primarily appointed to preserve the assets of the defendant to prevent dissipation, and not to maximise them so as to realise greater sums for the purposes of any eventual confiscation order. He was answerable first to the court, and the court should not withdraw its control to such … Continue reading In Re P (Restraint Order) (Sale of Assets): CA 2 Aug 1999

Re Price: Admn 3 Nov 2006

Judges: Wilkie J Citations: [2006] EWHC 2751 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Drug Trafficking Act 1994, Criminal Justice Act 1988 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 05 April 2022; Ref: scu.245977

Grayson and Barnham v The United Kingdom: ECHR 23 Sep 2008

Each applicant had been subject to confiscation in criminal proceedings relating to drugs offences. They complained that the legislation had reversed the burden of proof. Held: ‘it was not incompatible with the notion of a fair hearing in criminal proceedings to place the onus on each applicant to give a credible account of his current … Continue reading Grayson and Barnham v The United Kingdom: ECHR 23 Sep 2008

Telli v Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office: CA 21 Dec 2007

The appellant had completed that proportion of a total of 22 years’ imprisonment, which he was required to serve for drug trafficking offences. But he remained in prison serving a default term for failure to pay the whole of the sum of pounds 3,458,806, which he was required to pay by virtue of a confiscation … Continue reading Telli v Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office: CA 21 Dec 2007

Regina v Magro: CACD 8 Jul 2010

Each defendant appealed against confiscation orders made when the sentence imposed was an absolute or conditional discharge. They said that Clarke made such orders unlawful. Held: The decision in Clarke was a difficult limitation on the court’s discretion: ‘there are cases in which the combination of an order for discharge with a confiscation order represents … Continue reading Regina v Magro: CACD 8 Jul 2010

Regina v Isleworth Crown Court ex parte Marland: Admn 28 Oct 1997

A previous conviction of the defendant for a drugs related offence was admissible on a civil application for the forfeiture of cash said to represent the proceeds of drug trafficking under the section 43(1). The court observed that the circumstances in which similar fact evidence would be admitted in a criminal trial were closely circumscribed … Continue reading Regina v Isleworth Crown Court ex parte Marland: Admn 28 Oct 1997

Regina v Davies: CACD 22 May 2001

The judge when sentencing the offender set a timetable for the purpose of determinations under the 1994 Act, requiring disclosure of assets and expenditure by the defendant within 28 days and a prosecutor’s statement within 28 days thereafter. Held: Nevertheless, there had been a breach of section 3 because the court had failed to specify … Continue reading Regina v Davies: CACD 22 May 2001

Ginwalla, Regina v: CACD 8 Dec 2005

[2005] EWCA Crim 3553 Bailii Drug Trafficking Act 1994 31(4) England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Gibson v Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office CA 12-Jun-2008 The claimant’s husband had been made subject to a criminal confiscation order in the sum of pounds 5.5 million. She now sought to appeal an action against life policies … Continue reading Ginwalla, Regina v: CACD 8 Dec 2005

Gibson v Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office: CA 12 Jun 2008

The claimant’s husband had been made subject to a criminal confiscation order in the sum of pounds 5.5 million. She now sought to appeal an action against life policies in which she claimed a 50% interest. Held: Despite the finding that she had some awareness of her husband’s activities, the claimant was entitled to keep … Continue reading Gibson v Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office: CA 12 Jun 2008

H M Customs and Excise and Another v MCA and Another; A v A; Re MCA: CA 22 Jul 2002

The husband and wife divorced and a property adjustment order applied for. The husband had been convicted and a drugs proceeds order made under the 1994 Act. The order had not been satisfied, and the receiver applied for money from the matrimonial property. Held: The two Acts gave no indication that either was to take … Continue reading H M Customs and Excise and Another v MCA and Another; A v A; Re MCA: CA 22 Jul 2002

Crown Prosecution Service v Richards and Richards: CA 27 Jun 2006

The court was asked how to resolve the conflict between a public policy imperative to deprive offenders of the fruits of their crime and the requirement that dependants are provided for after divorce when the only funds available for both are the same? The CPS appealed against an order distributing a capital sum to the … Continue reading Crown Prosecution Service v Richards and Richards: CA 27 Jun 2006

Briggs-Price, Regina v: HL 29 Apr 2009

The applicant appealed against a confiscation order made on the basis of evidence obtained for and given in a trial that he had profited from the importation of cannabis. He had not faced trial on an associated charge, but had been convicted of conspiracy on the importation of heroin. Held: The court need not rely … Continue reading Briggs-Price, Regina v: HL 29 Apr 2009

Regina v Green: HL 14 May 2008

The appellant had been found to have received criminal proceeds along with another. He appealed against an order making him liable for the full amount. Held: The appeal failed. The defendant’s argument did not face the finding that he had been acting jointly with his co-defendants. ‘The committee cannot, however, regard it as disproportionate to … Continue reading Regina v Green: HL 14 May 2008

Her Majesty’s Advocate and Another v Mcintosh: PC 5 Feb 2001

(From High Court of Justiciary (Scotland)) The defendant had been convicted of drug trafficking. He complained that the following confiscation order had infringed his human rights being based an assumption of guilt and which was incompatible with his article 6 rights. The first question was whether he remained a person ‘charged with a criminal offence’. … Continue reading Her Majesty’s Advocate and Another v Mcintosh: PC 5 Feb 2001

Regina v Tivnan: CACD 6 May 1998

The Crown Court was able to increase the amount of a confiscation order after making the original order, where further assets were revealed, but not beyond assessed benefit to him of the crime. Judges: Rose LJ Citations: Gazette 28-May-1998, Times 06-May-1998, [1998] EWCA Crim 1370, [1999] 1 Cr App R(S) 92, [1998] Crim LR 591 … Continue reading Regina v Tivnan: CACD 6 May 1998

Regina v Fadden: CACD 26 Jan 1998

In assessment of proceeds of drug trafficking, court not to treat money launderers as a special case despite statutory distinction. Citations: Times 26-Jan-1998 Statutes: Drug Trafficking Offenders Act 1994 4(5) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 11 October 2022; Ref: scu.86652

A and others v Secretary of State for the Home Department (No 2): HL 8 Dec 2005

Evidence from 3rd Party Torture Inadmissible The applicants had been detained following the issue of certificates issued by the respondent that they posed a terrorist threat. They challenged the decisions of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission saying that evidence underlying the decisions had probably been obtained by torture committed by foreign powers, and should not … Continue reading A and others v Secretary of State for the Home Department (No 2): HL 8 Dec 2005

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority v Energysolutions EU Ltd (Now Called ATK Energy EU Ltd): SC 11 Apr 2017

This is an appeal on preliminary points of European Union and domestic law regarding the circumstances in which damages may be recoverable for failure to comply with the requirements of the Public Procurement Directive (Parliament and Council Directive 2004/18/EC on the coordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and … Continue reading Nuclear Decommissioning Authority v Energysolutions EU Ltd (Now Called ATK Energy EU Ltd): SC 11 Apr 2017