New Zealand Legislation: Acts

18E Seized property forfeited to Crown if ownership not established

• (1) If the ownership of any property cannot be established at the time of seizure or within 90 days after the date of seizure, the property seized shall be forfeit to the Crown and shall be disposed of as directed by the Director-General.

  (2) If there is a dispute as to the ownership of any property that has been seized under this Act, the Director-General may apply to a District Court for directions as to the holding and disposal of the property and the Court may give such directions accordingly.

  Sections 18A to 18J were inserted, as from 1 October 1996, by section 316(1) Fisheries Act 1996 (1996 No 88). See clause 2 Fisheries Act Commencement Order (No 2) 1996 (SR 1996/255).