Unexplained Wealth Orders

Effective 31 January 2018 under the Criminal Finances Act 2017, individuals and corporate bodies will be required to explain how they lawfully acquired property.

What is an Unexplained Wealth Order?

Unexplained Wealth Orders (“UWOs”) extend the UK's existing civil recovery regime and enable law enforcement agencies to seize and dispose of unlawfully obtained property in certain circumstances.

The UK High Court may grant a UWO without notice if it is satisfied that the known income of the person holding the property would have been insufficient for the purposes of lawfully obtaining it. A UWO applies to UK property and non UK property and can be served on a person outside of the jurisdiction.