Katherine Hardcastle, led by Sir James Eadie KC and David Perry KC, represented the National Crime Agency in this challenge to the first instance decision of Dove J in a judicial review brought by the World Uyghur Congress. The case concerned allegations of modern slavery in cotton supply chains between the UK and China and the scope to identify property as representing the proceeds of criminal conduct.
While the point under consideration was a narrow one, the Court (including the Lady Chief Justice) provided some observations on the money laundering offences (Part 7) and the civil recovery regime (Part 5) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. These comments are likely to be of significant interest to practitioners including in relation to the application of the ‘adequate procedures’ defence and the ingredients of the money laundering offences.
The judgment can be found here.
