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Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
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Key definition
Forfeiture definition

What does Forfeiture mean? Forfeiture describes the loss of a right, estate or property because of breach, wrongdoing or a statutory power, so the holder’s title or right to possession ends without compensation. It is a descriptive term used across several areas of practice, with detailed rules set by legislation and case law. In landlord and tenant law, forfeiture of a lease (England & Wales and Northern Ireland) allows a landlord to end the tenancy for breach where a forfeiture clause exists. Except for rent arrears, a section 146 notice is generally required and the landlord must re-enter peaceably or obtain a court order....

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Forfeiture of seized cash without court order under POCA 2002 s297A–G: notices, service, objections, detention, set-aside and compensation (England and Wales)

Practice notes
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This PrACTice Note

This Practice Note sets out how to secure the Forfeiture of cash pursuant to sections 297A, 297B, 297C, 297D, 297E, 297F and 297G of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA 2002). It also covers obtaining forfeiture without a magistrates’ court order under POCA 2002, s 297A. For fuller guidance on the supporting powers of cash Search, seizure and detention, see:

  • Cash searches under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
  • Cash seizure and detention

POCA 2002 provides two routes to forfeit seized cash:

  • administrative forfeiture under POCA 2002, s 297A (forfeiture without court order), and
  • court-ordered forfeiture under POCA 2002, s 298 (forfeiture by court order)

For details on forfeiture by court order under POCA 2002, s 298, refer to Practice Note: Forfeiture of cash by court order.

Note that distinct statutory regimes apply to the forfeiture of Money in bank accounts and to personal property; see Practice Notes: Seizure and forfeiture of monies held in bank accounts under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and Recovery of listed assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 respectively. For information on...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

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