Speed read: On 3 October 2018, the High Court handed down judgment in the first application to set aside an Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO) in the United Kingdom.
The power to make a UWO, an investigative order which compels a person to explain the provenance of assets available under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, was given to enforcement authorities in the United Kingdom in January of this year. In NCA v Mrs A [2018] EWHC 2534 (Admin), the Court dismissed the application to set aside after a UWO was obtained against two residences worth £22 million. Following the delivery of the judgment, Anita Clifford was asked by moneylaundering.com to share her views on the judgment and commented on scope for discretion even when the requirements for a UWO are satisfied.
