Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Attorney General, how much debt remains outstanding under confiscation orders obtained by the CPS; and what recent estimate he has made of how much of that debt is recoverable.

Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) have responsibility for the enforcement of all domestic confiscation orders. The CPS assists in the enforcement process when it can add value, such as by managing restraint orders, seeking the appointment of enforcement receivers or by requesting mutual legal assistance from overseas jurisdictions in respect of assets located abroad. When the CPS can no longer provide additional value, the lead enforcement role reverts to the HMCTS and the CPS no longer monitors its progress.

The latest CPS data relates to February 2016.

Over the last twelve months outstanding debt (excluding interest) has decreased by 18.4% from £505,598,593 to £412,652,493.

The CPS is leading in the enforcement of 1172 confiscation orders and the outstanding debt, excluding interest is £412,652,493 of which £157,210,118 or 38.1% has been assessed as being realistically recoverable.

The Court determines the recoverable amount and an assessment of what is recoverable is carried out by the CPS on a monthly basis in respect of all cases. The majority of unrecoverable assets are hidden, whilst the remainders consist of assets where there are third party claims; the assets are held in jurisdictions where the authorities have taken the view that the defendant does not have the interest in the asset; or where the asset has simply diminished in value.