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Proceeds of Crime Solicitors

At Draycott Browne, our Proceeds of Crime Solicitors provide strategic, high-level legal defence for individuals and businesses facing proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA). Whether you are subject to a restraint order, confiscation proceedings, or an Unexplained Wealth Order, the stakes are immediate and significant, with your finances, reputation and future all on the line.

The POCA (2002) gives law enforcement agencies extensive powers to freeze, seize and recover assets believed to be the proceeds of criminal activity. These powers can be used before a conviction is secured, and the burden often shifts to the accused to prove the legitimacy of their assets. Without early intervention and expert legal representation, even lawfully acquired property may be at risk.

Our experienced team of POCA Solicitors act with urgency to protect your interests, challenge enforcement action, and prepare a robust defence. We are nationally recognised for our technical quality, strategic insight and successful outcomes in high-value financial investigations. From early intervention to post-conviction defence, we offer clarity, precision and unwavering commitment at every stage.

The department is led by Helen Lynch, one of the UK’s most respected POCA Specialists, with extensive experience in complex fraud, financial crime and asset recovery cases. Helen’s leadership ensures every client benefits from an expert, tailored approach to POCA proceedings.

When facing action under the Proceeds of Crime Act (2002), early representation is critical. Contact our Proceeds of Crime Solicitors today for immediate legal advice and dedicated support.

How can our POCA Solicitors Help?

At Draycott Browne, our Proceeds of Crime Solicitors act quickly and decisively when individuals or businesses are exposed to POCA investigations or enforcement action. From the moment you make contact, we provide clear advice, take control of communications with the authorities, and begin building a robust defence strategy designed to protect your assets and your future.

We understand that POCA Proceedings are often used aggressively and can develop alongside criminal, civil and regulatory action. Our role is to limit exposure, challenge assumptions, and ensure that enforcement powers are applied lawfully and proportionately.

Our Proceeds of Crime Solicitors can assist by:

  • Advising immediately when you are contacted or investigated under POCA
  • Representing you during interviews and all interactions with enforcement agencies
  • Challenging restraint orders and applications to freeze assets
  • Defending confiscation proceedings and inflated benefit calculations
  • Protecting third party interests and legitimate business assets
  • Challenging civil recovery and asset forfeiture action
  • Advising professionals and businesses facing POCA related regulatory risk

POCA cases move quickly and delays can result in irreversible financial consequences. Early advice can make a decisive difference in protecting your position and preventing matters from escalating unnecessarily.

Our legal team is available seven days a week to provide urgent advice and representation. If you or your business are facing POCA Proceedings at any stage, contact Draycott Browne today for expert legal support and determined defence.

When you are facing the most serious financial and legal challenges, you cannot afford to settle for anything less than Draycott Browne.

Speak to an expert

Our legal team is available 7 days a week

Criminal Defence Expertise for Proceeds Of Crime Act Offences

Dedicated expertise for defending all allegations of POCA offences.

Asset Forfeiture
Bank Account Freezing Order
Confiscation Orders
Dawn Raids and Seizures
Restraint Orders
Seizures by Border Force and HMRC

Our Expert POCA Solicitors

Shaun Draycott

Shaun Draycott

Managing Director & Serious Crime Solicitor
Rob Mann

Rob Mann

Director & Serious Crime Solicitor
Venessa Schweitzer

Venessa Schweitzer

Consultant Litigator
Caitlin Cardwell

Caitlin Cardwell

Crown Court Litigator
Meet the Team

POCA Proceedings We Defend

The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) gives enforcement authorities wide ranging powers to restrain, seize, recover and confiscate assets believed to be connected to criminal conduct. These powers can be used during investigations, after conviction, and in some cases where no criminal charges have been brought.

At Draycott Browne, our Proceeds of Crime Solicitors represent individuals and businesses facing every stage of POCA enforcement. We provide strategic legal advice from the earliest opportunity, protecting assets, challenging enforcement action, and building a robust defence against financial recovery proceedings.

Asset Forfeiture, involves applications to permanently recover cash, property, vehicles, or other assets that enforcement authorities believe represent the proceeds of crime. These proceedings are often brought through the civil courts and may proceed even where no criminal conviction has been secured.

Bank Freezing Orders, allow enforcement authorities to freeze funds held in bank or building society accounts where they suspect the money is connected to criminal activity. These orders can be made without prior notice and may significantly affect both personal finances and business operations.

Cryptoasset Freezing and Forfeiture, POCA now contains specific powers allowing enforcement authorities to seize and detain cryptoasset-related items, freeze crypto wallets and seek the forfeiture or conversion of cryptoassets believed to represent recoverable property or be intended for use in unlawful conduct.

Confiscation Orders, are made following conviction where the prosecution alleges a defendant has financially benefited from criminal conduct. The court will assess the value of any criminal benefit alongside the assets available to satisfy a confiscation order.

Dawn Raids and Seizures, involve investigators executing search warrants at homes or business premises to seize documents, electronic devices, cash, and other property believed to be relevant to a criminal investigation or POCA proceedings.

Restraint Orders, prevent individuals or businesses from selling, transferring, or dealing with assets whilst a criminal investigation or prosecution remains ongoing. These orders can affect bank accounts, property, business interests, and other valuable assets.

Border Force and HMRC Seizures, involve cash, goods, or other property being detained at airports, ports, or border crossings where officers suspect the assets represent the proceeds of crime or are intended for unlawful use.

If you are facing any form of POCA investigation or asset recovery proceedings, obtaining specialist legal advice as early as possible is essential. Our experienced POCA Solicitors provide strategic advice from the outset, protecting your assets and challenging enforcement action at every stage.

Specialist Legal Defence in Proceeds of Crime Investigations

Our expertise in POCA matters extends beyond representation in court. We provide detailed legal guidance across the full range of asset recovery powers available to the authorities under the Proceeds of Crime Act (2002).

POCA proceedings are highly technical and can involve parallel investigations into criminal property, money laundering, and regulated sector compliance. Whether or not a conviction has taken place, the authorities can take steps to investigate and seize assets believed to be linked to criminal conduct.

As part of your defence, our Proceeds of Crime Solicitors will:

  • Analyse allegations and advise on the likely scope of POCA proceedings
  • Challenge assumptions around criminal lifestyle and benefit figures
  • Protect third-party rights and legitimate business interests
  • Advise on the disclosure of income sources and rebuttal of suspicious asset claims
  • Represent you in restraint, confiscation and civil recovery proceedings
  • Challenge Unexplained Wealth Orders and cash seizure actions
  • Advise professionals accused of regulatory failures under money laundering laws

We understand the investigative methods used by agencies such as the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), HMRC, NCA, and UK Border Force, and we work swiftly to limit the impact of asset restraint and reputational damage.

POCA proceedings can escalate rapidly and often place the burden on the individual to justify their financial position. If you are concerned about how your assets may be affected, or have been contacted by investigators, you should seek expert advice immediately.

Specialist Proceeds of Crime Solicitors

  • 24/7 Availability
  • Proven Success in High Profile Cases
  • Non-Judgemental Representation Tailored to Your Situation

Protect your future with trusted, expert legal defence—contact Draycott Browne’s POCA Defence Solicitors today.

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24 Hour Availability

POCA investigations rarely unfold at a convenient time. Arrests, dawn raids, restraint orders and asset seizures can occur without warning, often outside normal working hours. That is why our Proceeds of Crime Solicitors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When you contact Draycott Browne, you will have immediate access to expert legal advice and urgent representation. Whether you are facing a dawn raid at your home or business, attending a police station interview, or dealing with sudden asset restraint or seizure, our team can act at once to protect your rights and your assets.

The earliest stages of a POCA investigation are often the most critical. Early representation by experienced Proceeds of Crime Solicitors ensures that enforcement powers are properly challenged, your position is protected from the outset, and no step is taken without a clear and considered defence strategy in place.

Legal Aid

Defending POCA proceedings can place significant financial pressure on individuals and businesses, particularly where assets have been frozen or restrained at an early stage. In some cases, financial support may be available through the Legal Aid scheme.

At Draycott Browne, our experienced Legal Aid Solicitors can assess whether you are eligible for Legal Aid and guide you through the application process from the outset. We advise clearly on eligibility, assist with the required financial information, and work to secure the maximum level of support available under the scheme.

Access to justice is critical in POCA cases, where early decisions can have long term financial consequences. Where Legal Aid is available, we ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive high quality legal representation at every stage of the proceedings.

Private Funding

At Draycott Browne, we continue to support clients who qualify for Legal Aid. However, it is important to understand that Legal Aid funding places limits on the level of preparation, resources and strategic input available in POCA cases, which are often financially intensive and technically demanding.

Choosing to fund your defence privately ensures access to the highest standard of legal advice and representation. Our solicitors who specialise in business crime are able to dedicate greater time, expertise and resources to every aspect of your case, allowing for a more detailed and proactive defence strategy from the outset.

Private funding allows us to work extensively on asset tracing, financial analysis and evidential challenges, and to instruct specialist professionals where required. This level of preparation is often critical in POCA proceedings, where benefit calculations, lifestyle assumptions and asset recovery action can carry severe long term consequences.

If you are facing proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act, we strongly advise considering private funding as the best way to secure the strongest possible defence and protect your financial position. In serious POCA matters, the quality and depth of representation can make a decisive difference to the outcome.

Speak to an expert

Our legal team is available 7 days a week

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Contact our Proceeds of Crime Lawyers

The POCA Solicitors at Draycott Browne, are widely recognised as one of the North of England's leading team of criminal solicitors with specialist fraud, money laundering and business crime expertise.

Contact us today by calling the number at the top of this page. If you would like us to contact you, simply fill in our online enquiry form and a member of the team will be in touch as soon as possible.

We are highly regarded nationally across the legal profession and noted for consistently delivering positive results. Our team of Proceeds of Crime Solicitors possess a breadth of technical knowledge and experience of POCA Investigations and will provide you with the expertise needed throughout the process.

Our team of Criminal Defence Lawyers regularly act for clients in London and throughout Midlands and of course the North West including clients from Birmingham and Liverpool. By entrusting Draycott Browne, one of the top Criminal Defence Law Firms in the country, you can be assured that you will be working with a team of highly skilled and experienced lawyers who have a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the law.

Our legal team is available 7 days a week. For expert legal advice or representation, call Draycott Browne today.

When you are facing the stiffest challenge, you cannot afford to settle for anything less than Draycott Browne.
 

Frequently Asked Questions for POCA Proceedings

The proceeds of crime are any money, property or assets obtained as a result of criminal conduct, whether directly or indirectly. This can include cash, bank funds, vehicles, real estate, investments, business interests and other valuable property, even where those assets have changed hands or are held in someone else’s name.

Under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the authorities have wide powers to investigate, restrain and recover assets they believe represent criminal benefit. These powers can be exercised before a conviction and often require the individual to prove that assets were lawfully acquired.

“Criminal property” is any property that represents a benefit of criminal conduct.

POCA is regularly used by the police and non-police agencies in order to recover criminal property in a wide spectrum of proceedings ranging from benefit fraud, copyright infringement and rogue trading to tax evasion, bribery and money laundering.

In seeking to recover the proceeds of crime, the courts will calculate a figure that represents the financial benefits of the crime committed. However, for the purposes of POCA, it is not the money or property that is actually kept or gained from the criminal activity that matters. It is the money or property that passes through someone’s hands.

For this reason, POCA orders are often made over and above the actual amount that a defendant profited from their criminal conduct. For example, if a drug dealer sells £5,000 of drugs, his benefit figure will be £5,000 regardless of how much he bought the drugs for.

A defendant may be treated as having a criminal lifestyle where the offence is listed in Schedule 2 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, forms part of a course of criminal activity, or was committed over a period of at least six months and produced the required level of benefit.

The Crime and Policing Act 2026 widened the course of criminal activity test. It can now apply where the defendant benefited, or intended to benefit, from the conduct, and in some cases where they are convicted of two or more relevant offences in the same proceedings. The £5,000 relevant benefit threshold continues to apply to the course of criminal activity and six-month tests.

If the tests for a criminal lifestyle have been met, the Crown is able to significantly increase the benefit figure and the effects can be devastating.

Authorities can recover suspected criminal assets through measures including restraint and freezing orders, confiscation orders after conviction, civil recovery proceedings, cash seizures and Unexplained Wealth Orders. POCA also allows agencies such as the police, HMRC and Border Force to seize cash or property where there are grounds to suspect a connection with criminal conduct.

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