Account Freezing Orders in the UK can lock you out of personal or business funds with little warning. These orders are often made while law enforcement investigates alleged money laundering, fraud or other financial crime. Responding quickly with help from lawyers who understand Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) powers, Account Freezing Orders and Account Forfeiture Orders is essential for protecting your money and reputation.[1]
This page profiles some of the leading UK firms that act for clients facing Account Freezing Orders, with a particular focus on those who visibly publish case studies and guidance in this area, based on online reputation, reviews and more:-
Quick list – leading UK Account Freezing Order defence firms
- Lewis Nedas Law (London – acting England & Wales wide)
- Reeds Solicitors (national coverage)
- Kingsley Napley (London – complex proceeds of crime work)
- JMW Solicitors (Manchester, London and nationwide)
- Kangs Solicitors (Birmingham and national financial crime practice)
- Richard Nelson LLP (England and Wales)
- Irwin Mitchell (national firm with regulatory and financial crime teams)
- ABR Solicitors (fraud and POCA focused practice)
- Draycott Browne (serious crime and financial crime – North West)
- Clifford Johnston and Co (Manchester and Stockport – asset freezing work)
This is an editorial, independent list and is not exhaustive. It is intended as a general guide to firms with visible experience in Account Freezing Orders rather than a firm recommendation that any one practice is objectively the best for every case.
What is an Account Freezing Order
An Account Freezing Order is a civil order made by the Magistrates Court under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. It allows an enforcement officer to freeze money held in a bank or building society account if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the funds are the proceeds of crime or intended for unlawful use.[1]
The order can initially be made without notice to the account holder. Once granted, it can last for up to two years while the authorities investigate, although the court can allow withdrawals for reasonable living expenses and legal costs. The investigating authority may then seek to forfeit some or all of the frozen funds through an Account Forfeiture Order or Account Forfeiture Notice.[5]
How to choose an Account Freezing Order defence lawyer
- Look for clear evidence that the firm regularly deals with Account Freezing Orders and Account Forfeiture Orders rather than only occasional cases.
- Check for dedicated POCA or proceeds of crime teams and case studies involving frozen bank or crypto accounts.
- Review legal directory profiles, serious crime and fraud rankings, and public case reports for indications of asset recovery and forfeiture expertise.[8]
- Consider national reach, speed of response and experience dealing with agencies such as the NCA, HMRC and specialist police economic crime units.
- Ask how the firm approaches evidence gathering, negotiations and applications to discharge or vary Account Freezing Orders.
Best Account Freezing Order defence lawyers in the UK
1. Lewis Nedas Law – Siobhain Egan
Lewis Nedas Law is a London based criminal and civil litigation firm with a long running financial crime and POCA practice. The firm publishes detailed guides and case studies on Account Freezing Orders and related moratorium proceedings, showing experience in cases involving high value accounts, complex ownership structures and parallel regulatory investigations.[2][3]
Consultant solicitor Siobhain Egan is described in the firm’s own case reports as acting for clients with frozen bank accounts containing hundreds of thousands of pounds and in cases where the National Crime Agency sought to maintain orders over multi million pound balances. Published examples include successful challenges where detailed forensic accounting evidence and full audit trails were used to satisfy investigators that funds were legitimate.[3][4]
Testimonial highlight (summarised from the firm’s published feedback): clients describe Lewis Nedas Law as an exceptional criminal practice with a strong team of expert lawyers who are both thorough and supportive throughout the process.[2]
2. Reeds Solicitors
Reeds Solicitors is a national criminal, regulatory and prison law practice with a published Account Freezing Order service focused on defending both personal and business accounts. The firm stresses that few white collar crime practices can match its experience and tenacity in this area and highlights specialist lawyers regularly instructed in AFO cases.[6][7]
Reeds has been involved in significant AFO litigation, including matters where counsel and the firm successfully challenged HMRC Account Freezing Orders obtained against corporate accounts, resulting in frozen funds being released.[7]
Testimonial highlight: client feedback quoted in independent directories describes Reeds as one of the best legal representatives in their region, praised for professionalism, detailed guidance and strong support throughout lengthy cases.[10]
3. Kingsley Napley
Kingsley Napley is a well known London law firm with an established proceeds of crime and money laundering team. Its published materials explain how the firm acts for individuals and family members facing asset recovery action, including Account Freezing Orders and Unexplained Wealth Orders, and how it presents evidence of the clean origins of funds to challenge forfeiture.[5]
Testimonial highlight: Chambers UK commentary quoted on the firm’s site reports that clients consider Kingsley Napley determined to do the best for clients and to leave no stone unturned, which is a useful quality in complex POCA and AFO work.[9]
4. JMW Solicitors
JMW Solicitors has a business crime and regulatory team that publishes dedicated Account Freezing Order content and case studies. Examples include the discharge of multiple AFOs worth over one hundred and seventy five thousand pounds and the lifting of orders over bank accounts suspected to be connected with international money laundering.[3]
Testimonial highlight: recent publicly available client reviews describe JMW as a pleasure to work with, noting that the firm is friendly, reassuring and effective in achieving positive outcomes in difficult situations.[10]
5. Kangs Solicitors
Kangs Solicitors is a specialist criminal and fraud firm with a nationally recognised Proceeds of Crime and asset forfeiture department. Legal directories note its track record in POCA cases and asset freezing work and the firm publishes regular updates on confiscation, enforcement and related proceedings.[8]
Testimonial highlight: directory based feedback summarised on independent profiles describes Kangs as an award winning practice with outstanding expertise in POCA and asset forfeiture work, often instructed in complex and high value cases.[8]
6. Richard Nelson LLP
Richard Nelson LLP is a national firm that publishes a dedicated Account Freezing Order service page. The team offers advice to individuals and companies whose bank accounts have been frozen, including guidance on gathering evidence of legitimate funds and on challenging AFOs and Account Forfeiture Orders.[4]
Testimonial highlight: online reviews and commentary commonly praise the firm for clear advice and for being approachable and responsive in serious criminal and regulatory matters.
7. Irwin Mitchell
Irwin Mitchell is a large UK firm with a regulatory and criminal investigations team that explicitly markets Account Freezing Order defence services. The firm emphasises experience in proceeds of crime and money laundering matters and notes how disruptive AFOs can be to businesses that suddenly lose access to key funds.[5]
Testimonial highlight: clients reviewing Irwin Mitchell on public platforms frequently describe the service as first class from start to finish and highlight strong communication and support during stressful proceedings.[9]
8. ABR Solicitors
ABR Solicitors is a niche fraud, crime and regulatory practice with offices in several major English cities. Its POCA and confiscation pages note that the firm is increasingly instructed in multi million pound confiscation applications and emphasise the need for specialist advice in Proceeds of Crime cases.[8]
Testimonial highlight: review and profile sites describe ABR as one of the leading criminal practices in its region, with a longstanding reputation in fraud and POCA work.[8]
9. Draycott Browne
Draycott Browne is a Manchester based firm focusing on serious crime and financial crime, including proceeds of crime cases and bank account freezing. The firm’s business crime materials explain how it assists clients whose bank accounts have been frozen under POCA and how it works to secure practical solutions.
Testimonial highlight: client feedback available online generally refers to clear advice and strong representation in serious criminal matters.
10. Clifford Johnston and Co
Clifford Johnston and Co is a criminal defence and serious crime firm with offices in Manchester and Stockport. Its asset freezing and forfeiture page explains that the team advises on Account Freezing Orders and forfeiture applications and that it aims to minimise the impact of asset freezing on clients and their businesses.[9]
Testimonial highlight: independent review platforms note that Clifford Johnston and Co combines more than three decades of experience with a friendly and dedicated approach to client service.[9]
Frequently asked questions about Account Freezing Orders in the UK
1. What is an Account Freezing Order in the UK
An Account Freezing Order is a civil order made by a Magistrates Court that temporarily freezes money in a bank or building society account where an enforcement officer suspects that the funds are criminal property or intended for unlawful use. It is a power created under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and further developed by the Criminal Finances Act 2017.
2. Who can apply for an Account Freezing Order
Applications are usually made by law enforcement and investigative agencies, such as the National Crime Agency, HM Revenue and Customs, the Serious Fraud Office and police forces. In practice, banks often report suspicious activity that leads to an investigation and an application for an Account Freezing Order.
3. How long can my account stay frozen
A court can initially grant an Account Freezing Order for a defined period and can then extend it up to a maximum of two years. During that time, the order can be varied or discharged, and the investigating authority may seek to forfeit some or all of the frozen money.
4. What should I do if I discover my bank account has been frozen
Seek specialist legal advice as quickly as possible. Your lawyer will normally want to see the order, any supporting documents and information from your bank, then advise on gathering evidence that shows the legitimate source and intended use of the funds.
5. Can I challenge an Account Freezing Order
Yes. You can apply to vary the order, for example to allow withdrawals for reasonable living and business expenses, or to discharge the order entirely if the statutory test is not met or the funds can clearly be shown to be legitimate. Many of the firms listed on this page publish examples of successful challenges.
6. Can frozen funds be used to pay legal fees
In many cases it is possible to ask the court to allow limited withdrawals to cover legal representation and reasonable living costs. The court will consider the evidence about your financial situation and the purpose of any payments before agreeing to vary the order.
7. What is the difference between an Account Freezing Order and an Account Forfeiture Order
An Account Freezing Order is an interim measure that freezes funds while an investigation is ongoing. An Account Forfeiture Order or Account Forfeiture Notice is the mechanism used by the authorities to permanently recover money that the court concludes represents criminal property or is intended for criminal use.
8. Are Account Freezing Orders criminal or civil
AFOs are civil orders even though they are part of the broader criminal justice and asset recovery system. They can be made regardless of whether criminal charges have been brought and are decided on the civil standard of proof based on the balance of probabilities.
9. How do Account Freezing Orders interact with wider criminal investigations
Often, Account Freezing Orders sit alongside criminal or regulatory investigations. Information obtained while challenging an AFO can influence decisions about whether to charge or prosecute, and the outcome of a criminal case can in turn affect later confiscation and asset recovery proceedings.
10. How can I choose the best Account Freezing Order defence lawyer for my situation
Useful factors include a firm’s published case studies, its dedicated POCA or financial crime teams, directory rankings, independent client reviews and whether lawyers have experience with the types of funds and business structures involved in your case, including crypto assets or cross border elements.
Sources and further reading
- Lexlaw – Account Freezing Orders guide
- Lewis Nedas Law – Account Freezing and Forfeiture Orders
- Lewis Nedas Law – Account Freezing Order case studies
- Richard Nelson LLP – Account Freezing Order solicitors
- Kingsley Napley – Account Freezing and Forfeiture Orders
- Reeds Solicitors – Account Freezing Order solicitors
- Reeds Solicitors – construction company Account Freezing Order case
- Legal 500 profile – Kangs Solicitors proceeds of crime and asset forfeiture
- Clifford Johnston and Co – asset freezing and forfeiture
- JMW Solicitors – client review examples
