The process of parting criminals from their ill-gotten gains can be a complicated road. The Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), introduced in 2002, is generally seen as the most powerful weapon in this struggle.

While POCA is invaluable at preventing criminals from benefiting from their crimes and also deterring any potential offenders, the complexity of the field prevails. Our complementary guide aims to detail the basics of the Proceeds of Crime Act from top to bottom — so you have as strong a grasp on the concepts past, present, and future as possible.

• What constitutes as ‘proceeds of crime’
• The basics of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
• What types of offences are covered under the act
• The punishments you can expect if found to have committed any such crime
• When to expect a trip to court during the POCA process
• What the future of proceeds of crime and asset recovery looks like