The Legal Services Act 2007 (Warrant) (Licensing Authority) Regulations 2015

Execution of a warrant

3.—(1) Entry and search under a warrant must be—

(a) within a period of one month beginning on the date of its issue; and

(b) at a reasonable hour unless it appears to the appointed person exercising the power conferred by the warrant that the purpose of entry may be frustrated by entry at a reasonable hour.

(2) If there is a person (“P”) present at the premises of the former authority when the appointed person seeks to exercise the power conferred by the warrant, and P is the occupier or appears to be in charge of the premises, the appointed person must—

(a) show P documentary evidence of identity;

(b) show the warrant to P; and

(c) give P a certified copy of the warrant.

(3) If there is no occupier or person present at the premises who appears to be in charge of them, the appointed person must leave a certified copy of the warrant in a prominent place on the premises.

(4) The appointed person who exercises the power conferred by the warrant must make an endorsement on it stating—

(a) the date on which the power conferred by the warrant was exercised;

(b) whether any of the records sought were found;

(c) whether any written or electronic records have been copied; and

(d) whether possession has been taken of any written or electronic records.

(5) In the case of a warrant that authorises entry to and search of two or more premises of a former authority, the appointed person exercising the power conferred by the warrant—

(a) must make a separate endorsement in accordance with paragraph (4) for each premises entered and searched; and

(b) must specify in each endorsement the premises to which the endorsement relates.