
1 
These Rules may be cited as the Magistrates' Courts (Proceeds of Crime Act 2002) (Confiscation) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2003 and shall come into operation on 24th March 2003.
2 
In these Rules, “the Act” means the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and a reference to a section by number alone is a reference to that section as numbered in the Act and expressions used have the same meaning as in Part 4 of the Act.
3 

(1) An application under section 215(5) for an order that money be paid to the appropriate chief clerk (“payment order”) shall be made in Form 1, or a form with the same effect, and shall be accompanied by: –
(a) a copy of the restraint order which has effect in relation to the money; and
(b) a copy of the confiscation order against the person who holds the money.
(2) The applicant shall, not less than fourteen days prior to the date of the hearing, serve the application on the clerk of petty sessions and at the same time serve a copy thereof on the bank or building society against which the payment order is sought at its registered or principal office, if such office is situated in Northern Ireland, or otherwise at any place of business maintained by it in Northern Ireland.
(3) Where the money has been seized under Article 21 of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, the applicant shall, at the same time, serve a copy of the application on: –
(a) the Chief Constable or, as the case may be, the chief officer of the police force which maintains the account in which the money is held; or
(b) the Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise,
as appropriate.
(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 
Notwithstanding the provisions of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954, a payment order shall be served forthwith by the clerk of petty sessions by ordinary first class post on: –
(a) the bank or building society which is the subject of the order;
(b) every person who was served with a copy of the application;
(c) the person who holds the money; and
(d) the appropriate chief clerk.
5 
Where a magistrates' court commits a defendant to the Crown Court under section 218(2) of the Act, as soon as practicable the clerk of petty sessions shall send to the chief clerk...: –
(a) a certificate of order;
(b) any written statements tendered in evidence and any depositions taken at the magistrates' court;
(c) such documents and articles produced in evidence before the court as have been retained by the court;
(d) any report relating to the defendant considered by the court;
(e) if the defendant is committed to the Crown Court on bail, the recognizance of the defendant;
(f) any recognizance entered into by any person as surety for the defendant.
6 
The Magistrates' Courts Rules (Northern Ireland) 1984 shall have effect subject to the provisions of these Rules.
Irvine of Lairg, C.
Dated 3rd March 2003.
SCHEDULE

FORM 1
FORM 2
FORM 3
FORM 4
FORM 5
FORM 6