Unexplained Wealth Orders, Explained
A new law is making its way through parliament as part of the Criminal Finances Bill which will give the Serious Fraud Office, HMRC, the National Crime Agency and other agencies the power to requiring an individual to explain the ownership of assets and how they were obtained. Kyle Phillips of law firm Howard Kennedy explains what Unexplained Wealth Orders might mean for prime residential property...
Kyle Phillips is an Associate specialising in corporate crime at HKOne, Howard Kennedy’s legal concierge service.
Unexplained wealth orders: How is the British law changing and will it stop dirty money circulating in London?
The Economic Crime Act allows the government to convey the impression that it is ‘doing something’ about the proceeds of kleptocracy being laundered in the UK - but far more fundamental and far-reaching…
Crime Agency secures first Unexplained Wealth Orders against two properties worth £22m
Ownerships of two properties in London and the South East are being investigated under new Criminal Finances powers, which have been dubbed the "McMafia Law"
By PrimeResi
UK real estate & the Register of Foreign Owners: New registration requirements, explained
As a transparency measure, the Government is set to introduce a Register of People with Significant Control over Overseas Companies owning UK real estate.
By Ronnie Myers
Companies in this article
Howard Kennedy LLPMost read
Rightmove faces November hearing in £1.5bn agent fees claim
A big proposed collective action law suit will be considered by the Competition Appeal Tribunal later this year.
By PrimeResi
Government unveils detailed blueprint for new high-value homes levy
Consultation sheds light on how England’s so-called ‘mansion tax’ could work in practice - including key timelines and a potential premium for overseas owners.
New £100mn PCL fund completes first acquisition
Catalyst & REDD acquire rare Belgravia development project as 'opportunistic' investment drive gets underway.
Savills instructed on £45mn Georgian estate with over 1,700 acres
IN PICTURES: Inside one of the most significant country listings of 2026 so far, on the open market for the first time in a century.
In Pictures: 300-year-old Berkshire estate with royal roots & working vineyard hits the market
1705 mansion in 146 acres 'captures the English countryside dream’, say agents.
Maskells recruits Mayfair specialist Holmgren
The agency's new Director previously worked at Beauchamp Estates.
By PrimeResi
Buyer swoops on long-standing super-prime listing in Belgravia
Switzerland-based purchaser exchanged on turnkey mews amalgamation within a week of viewing.
Boutique Echlin-designed scheme launches in West London
CBRE appointed to market nine-unit heritage-themed project just off Westbourne Grove.
Luxury property auction firm launches super-prime home furnishing service
Concierge Curated 'directly responds to rising demand for move-in ready, fully furnished luxury properties.'
By PrimeResi
From sweet spots to sticking points: How property taxation is reshaping the UK’s prime markets
IN DEPTH: Analysis by Yolande Barnes and Middleton Advisors points to widening gaps between high-friction and low-friction parts of the market - and the implications for pricing and liquidity.
LATEST ARTICLES
Knight Frank’s Tom Bill on Burnham, bonds & the battle to attract wealth
Talk of council tax surcharges and capital gains tax reforms highlights how Labour politicians are leaning left as leadership speculation intensifies.
By Tom Bill
Weekly Showcase: Ten featured prime resi listings
PrimeResi's regular stock check, powered by LonRes
Behind the Railings: A lawyer’s guide to buying on London’s garden squares
From access rights to estate management schemes, the legal intricacies of the capital's private garden squares can catch out purchasers - and sometimes even their advisers - warns Robert Barham.
HNW law firm heralds revenue ‘milestone’
Boodle Hatfield's 'strategic focus on private capital' seems to be paying off.
By PrimeResi
Chelsea medal for Hamptons-backed garden inspired by modern urban living
The Transient Garden was created by RHS first-timer Rebecca Lloyd Jones, with a focus on flexible outdoor space for city dwellers.