United Kingdom

The United Kingdom (UK) has a comprehensive and well established legal structure to combat most forms of financial crime including corruption and money laundering. There are a broad range of financial offences that range from fraud through to a multitude of money laundering offences.

There are comprehensive powers to restrain, confiscate, and recover proceeds of crime, and to freeze and seize the proceeds of corruption in accordance with a number of international obligations and in particular the UN Convention Against Corruption. There are also a large number of law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies charged with these functions. The FIU housed within the Serious Organised Crime Agency, is now an effective FIU.

Furthermore, the UK's provision of legal assistance in both an informal and a formal context is broad and well established. The Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 provided for a number of new and standardised evidence gathering mechanisms which are now well embedded. Furthermore, a number of the provisions within Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 give effect to foreign restraint, confiscation and forfeiture orders in both the criminal and civil context and the UK is able to share confiscated or forfeited assets with other jurisdictions.