Day: January 26, 2018

As well as this one (at the Transport Museum in the Island), one more is currently on display at Castle Rushen High School in the Island, and Excalibur still has another green one as well as this – said to be at the International Space University (ISU) in Strasbourg – http://www.isunet.edu/blog/campus/facilities/facilities/122

Incidentally, neither of handsome guys in the photo are me…

The company had been based in the Isle of Man and planned to use the 4-seat capsules for “space tourism” trips (other possible uses were also mooted).  The Almaz capsules themselves come from a former Soviet military programme (almaz, or алмаз in Russian, means “diamond”), reputedly what was then an anti-satellite project (and hence probably illegal under treaties at the time).  It put the Isle of Man on the space map for a time (though, to be fair, the Island has other connections to satellite and other space projects) and at one time was incredibly said to be the 4^th most likely country to mount a mission to the Moon!

See also http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-31813697

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/shooting-for-the-moon-time-called-on-isle-of-man-space-race-10101750.html

On 26^th January, HM Treasury issued a Notice confirming application in the UK of the changes to the details of the designation of the vessel “Capricorn” under the EU Libyan sanctions regime.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/677222/Notice_2018_126_Libya.pdf

2 new UK SI –

CRIMINAL FINANCES ACT 2017 (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 2018

SI 2018/80 is concerned with section 15 of the Criminal Finances Act 2017 which amended the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 by inserting new Chapter 3A which contains powers to search, seize and forfeit listed assets (such as precious metals, precious stones and artistic works) in summary proceedings.  This instrument amends section 278 of POCA so that assets forfeited by an order made under section 303R of POCA cannot be subject to further recovery action under the existing civil recovery powers in Chapter 2 of Part 5 of POCA.  The Order has effect from 31^st January.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/80/pdfs/uksiem_20180080_en.pdf

CRIMINAL FINANCES ACT 2017 (COMMENCEMENT NO. 4) REGULATIONS 2018

SI 2018/78 bring certain provisions of the 2017 Act into force w.e.f. 30^th January.  Some of these are technical or internal to the law enforcement and legal authorities.  However, the Regulations also provide for –

• Unexplained Wealth Orders from 31^st January
• An administrative power to freeze bank/building society accounts without a court order from 31^st January
• Allowing for the reconsideration of discharged confiscation orders
• Extending in terrorism legislation the definition of “cash” to include gaming vouchers, fixed-value casino tokens and betting receipts, and for administrative forfeiture orders, from 16^th April
• Amending the definition of “cash” in POCA 2002 as well, from 16^th April

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/78/contents/made

SI 2018/81 introduces a revised code following changes made by the Criminal Finances Act 2017.  The changes relating to the confiscation of terrorist “cash” by police and Border Force officers include expanding the definition of terrorist cash to include betting receipts, gaming vouchers and casino tokens.  The Order has effect from 31^st January.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/81/pdfs/uksiem_20180081_en.pdf

PROCEEDS OF CRIME ACT 2002 ORDERS AND REGULATIONS IN UK

• THE PROCEEDS OF CRIME ACT 2002 (SEARCH, SEIZURE AND DETENTION OF PROPERTY: CODE OF PRACTICE) ORDER 2018 (SI 2018/82) – commences 31^st January
• THE PROCEEDS OF CRIME ACT 2002 (CASH SEARCHES: CODE OF PRACTICE) ORDER 2018 (SI 2018/82) – commences 16^th April
• THE PROCEEDS OF CRIME ACT 2002 (INVESTIGATIONS: CODE OF PRACTICE) ORDER 2018 (SI 2018/84) – commences 31^st January
• THE PROCEEDS OF CRIME ACT 2002 (RECOVERY OF LISTED ASSETS: CODE OF PRACTICE) (ENGLAND AND WALES AND SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 2018 (SI 2018/85) – commence 16^th

These 4 SI are made under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA), and bring into force 3 revised codes of practice and 1 new code of practice providing guidance and procedural requirements for the exercise of certain functions under POCA, required due to changes made by the Criminal Finances Act 2017, and extend certain existing functions and create new functions.  3 of the SI bring into operation revised codes of practice (concerning the use of search, seizure and detention powers in confiscation, search powers in cash recovery and investigation powers) and the fourth introduces a new code of practice concerning a new search power available in respect of certain items of personal or moveable property.  For details for all 4, see the Explanatory memorandum at –

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/85/pdfs/uksiem_20180085_en.pdf

 

On 26^th January, EU Regulation 2018/126/EU amended the details given for the vessel “Capricorn” designated under the EU’s Libyan sanctions.  Council Decision 2018/132/CFSP also refers.

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2018.022.01.0012.01.ENG&toc=OJ:L:2018:022:TOC