Dines and Others v Director of Public Prosecutions

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division), Lord Justice Davis, Mr Justice Fraser and Sir Nicholas Blake, 19 March, 23 April 2020

Confiscation orders - Registration of foreign confiscation orders - Convictions - Italy - Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, section 444(1) - Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (External Requests and Orders) Order 2005 (SI 2005 No 3181) Part 2.

The appellants were British citizens, resident in England and variously owning properties or interest in properties in England. They were alleged to have been involved in a major international tax fraud in connection with telecommunications companies based in Italy. Over €300 million were said to be involved in the overall tax fraud. The investigation started in 2006 and criminal proceedings were commenced in Italy. In 2012 the appellants were extradited to Italy under the European Arrest Warrant procedure.