Freedom of Information Act 2000

2 (1) A judge shall not issue a warrant under this Schedule unless he is satisfied— U.K.

(a) that the Commissioner has given seven days’ notice in writing to the occupier of the premises in question demanding access to the premises, and

(b) that either—

(i) access was demanded at a reasonable hour and was unreasonably refused, or

(ii) although entry to the premises was granted, the occupier unreasonably refused to comply with a request by the Commissioner or any of the Commissioner’s officers or staff to permit the Commissioner or the officer or member of staff to do any of the things referred to in paragraph 1(2), and

(c) that the occupier, has, after the refusal, been notified by the Commissioner of the application for the warrant and has had an opportunity of being heard by the judge on the question whether or not it should be issued.

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) shall not apply if the judge is satisfied that the case is one of urgency or that compliance with those provisions would defeat the object of the entry.

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 3 para. 2 wholly in force at 1.1.2005; Sch. 3 para. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 87(3); Sch. 3 para. 2 in force for certain purposes at 30.11.2002 by S.I. 2002/2812, art. 2(d)(e); Sch. 3 para. 2 in force for certain further purposes at 1.1.2005 by S.I. 2004/1909, art. 2 and otherwise in force at 1.1.2005 by S.I. 2004/3122, art. 2