Success in small places: NCB forfeiture thrives in Manitoba, a small but mighty Canadian jurisdiction

Abstract

Purpose

This paper shows how a small jurisdiction can apply well-designed non-conviction-based (NCB) forfeiture provisions with a dedicated team to have a meaningful impact on financial crime. This paper aims to examine developing jurisprudence, legislation and case law to explore how the NCB laws work. Finally, this paper examines a relatively new area of law for Canada, unexplained wealth orders (UWOs). This paper discussed three recent cases in Western Canada currently before the courts.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper considers legislative and jurisprudential developments relevant to NCB or civil asset forfeiture and in particular considers very recent developments involving UWOs.

Findings

This paper shows how a small jurisdiction can apply well-designed NCB forfeiture provisions with a dedicated team to have a meaningful impact on financial crime.

Research limitations/implications

Some jurisdictions, like the UK, have experienced court losses with their UWO process. Canadian law may have a modest pathway to success in this area, although our jurisprudence is very much in development.

Practical implications

Manitoba is a small jurisdiction with limited resources who are finding ways to have an effective impact on financial crime through the careful application of use of conviction-based forfeiture.

Social implications

Financial crime has an outsized impact on society. This paper shows some of the techniques available to disrupt financial crime.

Originality/value

This paper incorporates developments in 2024 that have not yet been examined.

Citation

Murray, M. and Simser, J. (2024), "Success in small places: NCB forfeiture thrives in Manitoba, a small but mighty Canadian jurisdiction", Journal of Financial Crime, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-07-2024-0217