POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(020) 7702 5331About
Provided by Hickman & Rose
Our Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) team defends in both criminal and civil asset recovery and forfeiture. We are often instructed as a POCA specialist after conviction where other firms have handled a criminal trial. Though most of the firm’s POCA cases involve advisory and civil recovery work for a mixture of corporate and private clients, the general crime team sees confiscation as a driving force behind many prosecutions, and in dishonesty cases a claim is inevitable.
The team has been successful in many cases in repelling the efforts of both government agencies and non-departmental public bodies to employ the civil provisions of POCA to achieve their policy ends eg, our successful defence of a client against a POCA forfeiture attempt made by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. We have had several enquiries about the new Unexplained Wealth Orders, and have also seen an increasing demand for POCA recovery advice from corporate and individual clients who are the victims of crime.
Many cases have an international element, and there is increasingly a focus on the hazards of double recovery across jurisdictions. We are dealing with regulators in the US, the EU and the UK seeking to impose civil penalties resulting from the same set of facts.
We also advise regularly on compliance issues. One of the team’s senior partners, Ross Dixon, is on the Law Society Money Laundering task force, and we are the firm of choice for many other solicitors with AML concerns.
Chambers Review
Hickman & Rose represents clients in confiscation proceedings arising from serious fraud convictions. The team advises both companies and individuals on compliance with POCA and potential liabilities in civil and criminal law. The firm provides assistance to businesses in a wide range of sectors on anti-money laundering compliance. The team also advises victims of crime on recovery measures. The firm represents clients in private prosecutions and offers advice on cash detention proceedings.
Work Highlights
- Hickman & Rose acted for the Fresh View Swift Properties as the claimant in a judicial review application surrounding the decision of Westminster Magistrates’ Court to order the forfeiture of the company bank account.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team is highly responsive."
"Hickman & Rose is not only helpful in exploring all required avenues of very complex situations, but provides clear and timely advice and explanations to our team."
"The team is highly responsive."
"Hickman & Rose is not only helpful in exploring all required avenues of very complex situations, but provides clear and timely advice and explanations to our team."
Notable Practitioners
Andrew Katzen works for companies and individuals on the full range of POCA matters. He regularly assists clients alleged to have committed fraud or tax evasion, and he is adept at assisting with both domestic and cross-border matters. He has considerable experience advising clients on asset recovery, account freezing orders and restraint orders.
"His kind and supportive bedside manner makes a significant difference to our ability to manage the matter at hand."
"Andrew is a real expert in POCA and financial crime and works so hard for clients."
Ross Dixon is best known for his work on POCA matters relating to money laundering allegations. He also assists clients with issues arising from bribery and tax fraud.
"He is very well respected in the market."
"He's very thorough and knowledgeable about the law."
Ben Rose is an experienced criminal defence practitioner who has notable expertise in matters relating to POCA, including UWOs and freezing orders. His clients include both corporates and UHNW individuals.
"Ben is always on top of everything and focused on every single detail."
"He's very on the ball and helps us navigate through issues. He always does a fantastic job."
Ranked Lawyers at
Hickman & Rose
UK-wide