Sarah Wood, Gary Pons & Barnaby Hone write for New Law Journal: Victims' Rights in the Crypto Age. The article was first published in the New Law Journal on 6 February 2026.
In this article, Sarah Wood, Barnaby Hone, and Gary Pons explore the application of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) to cryptoassets. They explain how UK authorities can freeze, seize, and forfeit digital assets obtained through criminal activity, and how victims can pursue recovery of misappropriated cryptocurrency under statutory provisions.
The authors also highlight practical challenges in the crypto context, including blockchain tracing, international enforcement, and technological complexity. The piece demonstrates how existing legal frameworks are evolving to provide meaningful restitution for victims while addressing the unique risks posed by crypto‑asset crime.
The full article can be read on the New Law Journal website. The online article sits behind the NLJ paywall, non-subscribers can access it free of charge by entering their name and email address - click here for a free access link.
Sarah Wood is an experienced and highly accomplished barrister who specialises in Proceeds of Crime & Asset Forfeiture, Business Crime, Private Prosecutions, and Financial Remedies cases in the Family Court involving high-value assets and complex financial arrangements. Sarah is Joint Head of the Business Crime Team at 5SAH Chambers. She is ranked in The Legal 500 (Tier 1) and Chambers & Partners (Tier 2) for her Confiscation & Asset Recovery work. Sarah is also recognised in Chambers & Partners for Financial Crime - Private Prosecutions, in the exclusive spotlight table.
Sarah was the Winner of The Legal 500 UK Bar Awards 2023 for Financial Crime junior of the year.She is known as the ‘go-to’ Barrister for cases involving both POCA and matrimonial finance.
Gary Pons is a talented and dedicated barrister. His approach to cases is distinguished by its careful preparation and measured execution. His practice includes areas such as business crime, asset recovery and civil fraud, insolvency, and licensing. He is also ranked in both Chambers and Partners (Band 1), and the Legal 500 (Tier 1) for his work in the field of POCA and Asset Forfeiture work.
His experience in complex financial crime and asset forfeiture has allowed Gary to develop his practice over the years. Gary has experience of foreign criminal proceedings having been involved for many years with two high profile cases in Costa Rica. He frequently advises on multi-jurisdictional asset recovery cases.
Barnaby Hone is a barrister with specialist expertise in all types of asset recovery and financial crime (both criminal and civil). He works on all circuits in England and Wales, as well as being regularly instructed on international matters. He is regularly instructed as a Junior alone or as a leading Junior in complicated matters. He represents Defendants, third parties, and a range of law enforcement agencies (including the SFO, HMRC and the NCA).
He is ranked in Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500, Band 2 & Tier 2, for his expertise within asset recovery matters. Barnaby has contributed to publications on International Asset Recovery and Terrorism Finance.
Articles
Barnaby Hone writes for Family Office Magazine | Crypto assets are now at risk from rapid seizure and forfeiture
Barnaby Hone 04/07/2024
