Asset recovery has become one of the most significant and rapidly developing areas of criminal, regulatory and financial enforcement. Law enforcement agencies and regulators are increasingly using extensive powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to investigate wealth, freeze assets, recover funds and pursue confiscation proceedings against individuals, businesses and third parties.

Forbes Solicitors advises clients at every stage of the asset recovery process, from the earliest stages of investigation through to contested court proceedings and appeals. Our specialist and expert lawyers act in some of the most complex and high-value matters involving allegations of fraud, money laundering, organised crime, regulatory offending, tax investigations and cryptocurrency-related enforcement.

Asset recovery investigations often involve substantial financial, commercial and reputational risks. Our nationally recognised Financial Crime team is ranked Tier 1 by Chambers and Partners for Financial Crime and has maintained this position for more than a decade. We are also ranked Tier 1 by Legal 500 for Crime and Fraud, reflecting our expertise in complex asset restraint, forfeiture and confiscation proceedings. Trusted by business owners, professionals and private clients, we provide strategic advice on the full spectrum of criminal and civil asset recovery proceedings throughout England and Wales.

The asset recovery regime has expanded considerably over the past two decades.  Originally centred on confiscation proceedings following conviction, the modern framework now allows authorities to freeze, restrain, seize and recover assets at the investigation stage, often before any criminal charges have been brought.

The introduction of the Criminal Finances Act 2017 and the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 has significantly broadened the powers available to investigators, particularly in relation to civil forfeiture, unexplained wealth and digital assets.

Our team advises on matters involving:

• Account Freezing Orders

• Account Forfeiture Orders

• Cash Seizure and Forfeiture

• Listed Asset Seizure and Forfeiture

• Property Freezing Orders

• Restraint Orders

• Confiscation Proceedings

• Civil Recovery Proceedings

• Unexplained Wealth Orders

• Disclosure Orders

• Production Orders

• Cryptocurrency Investigations

• Crypto Wallet Freezing Orders

• Third Party Interests in Confiscation

• International Asset Recovery

• Mutual Legal Assistance Proceedings

Many matters arise alongside allegations of fraud, money laundering, tax offences, bribery, corruption, sanctions breaches, regulatory investigations or organised criminal activity. Effective representation therefore requires lawyers who understand both the underlying investigation and the financial recovery powers being deployed.

Asset recovery cases rarely exist in isolation.  Our dedicated team are specialists across:

• Fraud and Financial Crime

• Business Crime

• Regulatory Investigations

• Serious and Complex Crime

• Corporate Investigations

• Financial Services Enforcement

• Tax Investigations

• Cryptocurrency and Digital Assets

This multidisciplinary approach allows us to provide comprehensive advice throughout the lifecycle of an investigation and proceedings.

Our award-winning criminal defence team offers expert legal support to protect your property and assets.

Restraint Orders

Restraint orders remain one of the most powerful tools available to investigators. They can freeze assets worth millions of pounds, restrict business operations and significantly affect individuals and businesses long before any criminal proceedings conclude.

Our team advises on applications to vary, challenge and discharge restraint orders and assists clients in protecting legitimate business and personal interests.

Civil Recovery

Civil recovery proceedings allow enforcement agencies to pursue assets without securing a criminal conviction.

These cases frequently involve substantial financial investigation, extensive disclosure and sophisticated asset tracing exercises.

We advise both individuals and businesses facing civil recovery action under Part 5 of the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Asset Freezing and Forfeiture

The use of forfeiture powers continues to increase significantly.

Bank accounts, cash, cryptocurrency and other assets can be frozen and ultimately forfeited where authorities suspect a connection to unlawful conduct.

We advise clients in relation to:

• Account Freezing Orders

• Account Forfeiture Orders

• Cash Detention and Forfeiture

• Listed Asset Forfeiture

• Property Freezing Orders

• Crypto Asset Forfeiture

Cryptocurrency and Digital Assets

The emergence of cryptocurrency has transformed the asset recovery landscape.

Investigators now routinely utilise specialist powers to freeze, seize and recover digital assets, while exchanges and financial institutions are increasingly cooperating with enforcement agencies.

Our team advises on matters involving:

• Crypto Wallet Freezing Orders

• Cryptocurrency Forfeiture Proceedings

• Blockchain Tracing Allegations

• Digital Asset Investigations

• International Crypto Recovery

This remains one of the fastest developing areas of asset recovery law.

International Asset Recovery

Asset recovery investigations increasingly involve multiple jurisdictions.  This relates to matters where the UK is asked to assist another country due to assets being held in this jurisdiction or an individual has left another jurisdiction and come to the UK.

Forbes Solicitors advises clients facing cross-border investigations, asset recovery and UK enforcement exposure.  This commonly involves restraint orders, international asset tracing, mutual legal assistance requests and the enforcement of foreign recovery orders.

We regularly work alongside international lawyers, forensic accountants and specialist experts to manage complex cross-border disputes.

Confiscation Proceedings

Confiscation proceedings often involve complex disputes concerning benefit calculations, available assets, hidden assets, assumptions, corporate structures and third-party ownership.

We advise throughout all stages of confiscation proceedings, including third party interests, receivership issues and appeals.

Asset recovery proceedings often involve substantial financial consequences, reputational considerations and parallel criminal or regulatory investigations.

Clients require lawyers who understand both the legal framework and the commercial realities involved.

Recognised Expertise

Our lawyers are independently recognised by Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 for their work in serious crime, financial crime and regulatory investigations.

National Reach

We represent clients throughout England and Wales, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and Bristol.

Strategic Early Intervention

Many asset recovery cases can be influenced significantly during the investigative stage. We provide strategic advice from the earliest point of contact with investigators.

Complex Financial Investigation Experience

We regularly advise on matters involving sophisticated financial evidence, corporate structures, cross-border transactions and cryptocurrency assets.

Integrated Asset Recovery Capability

Our team combines expertise in criminal defence, regulatory enforcement, civil recovery and financial investigations.

The team includes lawyers with extensive experience in:

• Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings

• Fraud investigations

• Money laundering allegations

• Regulatory enforcement

• Cryptocurrency investigations

• Asset tracing and recovery

• Corporate investigations

Led by lawyers recognised in Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500, the team provides strategic advice from investigation through to final resolution.