Alexander Barbour secures successful opposition to AFO extension

Alexander Barbour, instructed by Lauren Bowkett at JMW Solicitors, successfully opposed an application to vary an Account Freezing Order to extend it by 4 months.

The AFO was obtained by the Home Office, investigating the client company for suspected money laundering. It was successfully argued that the Home Office had failed to present sufficient evidence to support reasonable grounds for suspicion. As such, the application to extend was refused.

This success will allow the company to access its formerly frozen funds and bring to an end any impact on the operation of its business by the investigation.

The case highlights the importance of instructing specialists early in POCA Part 5 summary proceedings.