Aziz Rahman considers the implications of a possible increase in the use of unexplained wealth orders by enforcement agencies
- The appeal of UWOs to authorities.
- Criteria for a UWO.
- The application process.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has made it clear that it has examined 140 cases to see if they are suitable for an unexplained wealth order (UWO). Nobody expects 140 UWOs to become a reality in the immediate future. But it can only be a matter of time before the number of UWOs rises above the current total of two.
The NCA has made specific reference to Russian-owned assets, possibly as a direct result of the poisoning in Salisbury last year of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. The UK authorities seem to be viewing UWOs as a legal means of attacking Russian interests, either in retaliation for Salisbury or as an attempt to remove the UK’s unwanted reputation as a popular destination for those looking to move and invest laundered money. The only uncertainty appears to be when we will see more UWOs—and
