Civil recovery

United Kingdom

In United Kingdom law, civil recovery (also named civil recovery scheme or civil recovery regime) (a) enables the enforcement authority to recover, in civil proceedings before the High Court or Court of Session, property which is, or represents, property obtained through unlawful conduct, and (b) enables cash which is, or represents, property obtained through unlawful conduct, or which is intended to be used in unlawful conduct, to be forfeited in civil proceedings before a magistrates' court or (in Scotland) the sheriff. Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (2002 c. 29 s 240 et seq.)

United States

In the United States, civil recovery laws allow store and retailers to prosecute alleged shoplifters in civil court. All 50 states have some form of civil recovery law. In some jurisdictions, both a civil recovery demand and a ticket or arrest for "stealing" is initiated by the retailer. (See Wikipedia Article on Civil Demands for Shoplifting)

See also

• Assets Recovery Agency
• Shoplifting

Further Reading

• Zimmerman, Ann The Wall Street Journal, February 20, 2008 A1 "Big retail chains dun mere suspects in theft" http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120347031996578719.html?mod=rss_law_page
• Landro, Laura The Wall Street Journal September 20, 2007 A1 "The Accidental Thief" http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119024912866933218.html