{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/proceeds-of-crime-act-2002/section-240",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/proceeds-of-crime-act-2002/section-240.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/2002/29",
  "legislation_title": "Proceeds of Crime Act 2002",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/proceeds-of-crime-act-2002",
  "path": "section/240",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "240",
  "heading": "General purpose of this Part",
  "text": "(1) This Part has effect for the purposes of—\n(a) enabling the enforcement authority to recover, in civil proceedings before the High Court or Court of Session, property which is, or represents, property obtained through unlawful conduct,\n(b) enabling property which is, or represents, property obtained through unlawful conduct, or which is intended to be used in unlawful conduct, to be forfeited in civil proceedings before a magistrates’ court or (in Scotland) the sheriff and, in certain circumstances, to be forfeited by the giving of a notice.\n(2) The powers conferred by this Part are exercisable in relation to any property (including cash) whether or not any proceedings have been brought for an offence in connection with the property.",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Word in s. 240(1)(b) substituted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 31.1.2018 for E.W.S. in so far as not already in force, 28.6.2021 for N.I. in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), s. 58(5)(6), Sch. 5 para. 28(a); S.I. 2018/78, reg. 5(1)(e); S.I. 2021/724, reg. 4(g)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Words in s. 240(1)(b) inserted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 31.1.2018 for E.W.S. in so far as not already in force, 28.6.2021 for N.I. in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), s. 58(5)(6), Sch. 5 para. 28(b); S.I. 2018/78, reg. 5(1)(e); S.I. 2021/724, reg. 4(g)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/29/section/240",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T09:19:19.387180+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}