Search Order

A court order requiring a party to permit their premises to be searched and relevant documents or items to be inspected, copied, or removed. Formerly known as an Anton Piller order, it is typically used to preserve evidence that might otherwise be destroyed.

In practice

Search orders are granted without notice by the High Court and must be supervised by an independent supervising solicitor. They are most commonly used in intellectual property and fraud cases. The applicant must show an extremely strong prima facie case, very serious potential or actual damage, and clear evidence that the respondent possesses incriminating material that is likely to be destroyed.