International Criminal Court Act 2006

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Freezing orders.

38.— (1) This section applies where the Minister receives a request from the International Criminal Court under Article 93.1(k) to freeze the property of a person, including any articles used in the commission of an ICC offence, for the purpose of its eventual forfeiture.

(2) Where this section applies, the Minister shall, subject to section 4 , send a copy of the request and any accompanying documents to the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána.

(3) (a) The Commissioner shall thereupon cause a member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of inspector to apply to the High Court for an order under subsection (4).

(b) If the applicant—

(i) believes that the person to whom the request relates owns any land (whether or not the applicant believes that the person owns other land), and

(ii) is aware of its location,

the applicant shall state in the application that he or she so believes and specify the location of the land.

(4) (a) On such an application the High Court may make an order (in this Part referred to as a “freezing order”) prohibiting any person from dealing with the property of the person to whom the request relates if the Court is satisfied—

(i) that this section applies in relation to the property, and

(ii) either—

(I) that the International Criminal Court has imposed a fine, or made a reparation or forfeiture order, in the proceedings concerned, or

(II) that there are reasonable grounds for believing that that Court may impose a fine, or make such an order, in those proceedings.

(b) For the purposes of paragraph (a) dealing with property held by any person includes—

(i) where a debt is owed to that person, making a payment to any person in reduction of the amount of the debt, or

(ii) removing the property from the State.

(c) A freezing order may be subject to such conditions and exceptions as may be specified in it, including the making of such provision as the Court may think fit for the living expenses and legal expenses of any person.

(d) In paragraph (a)(ii)(I) “proceedings” includes an investigation by the International Criminal Court of an ICC offence.

(e) If subsection (3)(b) applies, the freezing order shall include the statement mentioned in that subsection.

(5) In exercising its powers under this section the High Court shall pay due regard to the rights of any third parties.

(6) A freezing order may apply—

(a) to all realisable property held by a specified person, whether the property is described in the order or not, and

(b) to realisable property held by a specified person, being property transferred to him or her after the making of the order.

(7) A freezing order—

(a) may be made ex parte and otherwise than in public,

(b) may provide for service on, or the provision of notice to, persons affected by the order in such manner as the High Court may direct,

(c) may be discharged or varied in relation to any property, and

(d) shall be discharged on the application of the International Criminal Court or on the conclusion of the proceedings before that Court in relation to which the order was made.

(8) For the purposes of subsection (7)(d), proceedings before the International Criminal Court have concluded—

(a) where the Court determines not to make an ICC order, on the date of the determination,

(b) where the Court makes such an order—

(i) on the date of the final determination of an application under section 40 for its enforcement, or

(ii) on the issue by the Minister of a certificate that a request is unlikely to be received from the International Criminal Court for the enforcement of the order.

(9) An application to discharge or vary a freezing order may be made by any person affected by it.

(10) Where the High Court has made a freezing order arising from a request related to the investigation of an ICC offence, it may discharge the order if the investigation is not completed within such time as it considers reasonable.

(11) Where the High Court has made a freezing order, the Court may at any time appoint a receiver—

(a) to take possession of any realisable property, and

(b) in accordance with the Court's directions, to manage or otherwise deal with it,

subject to such exceptions and conditions as may be specified by the Court and to provision being made for the expenses and remuneration of the receiver, and may require any person having possession or control of such property to deliver it to the receiver.

(12) Where the High Court has made a freezing order, a member of the Garda Síochána or an officer of customs and excise may, for the purpose of preventing any realisable property being removed from the State, seize the property.

(13) Property seized under subsection (12) shall be dealt with in accordance with the High Court's directions.

(14) Section 60 (voidance of dispositions designed to frustrate confiscation, etc.) of the Act of 1994 shall have effect as if the references to confiscation included references to a freezing order.