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Court Procedures Rules
751Search orders—general
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751 Search orders—general
(1) The Supreme Court may make an order (a search order) in any
proceeding or in anticipation of any proceeding in the court for the
purpose of securing or preserving evidence and requiring the
respondent to allow people to enter premises for the purpose of
securing the preservation of evidence that is or may be relevant to an
issue in the proceeding or anticipated proceeding.
(2) The Magistrates Court may make an order (also called a search
order) in any proceeding in the court for the purpose of securing or
preserving evidence and requiring the respondent to allow people to
enter premises for the purpose of securing the preservation of
evidence that is or may be relevant to an issue in the proceeding.
(3) The affidavits supporting an application for a search order must
include the following information:
(a) a description of the things, or the categories of things, in relation
to which the order is sought;
(b) the address of the premises in relation to which the order is
sought and whether they are private or business premises;
Rule 751
(c) why the order is sought, including why the applicant believes
that the things to be searched for will probably be destroyed or
otherwise made unavailable for the purpose of evidence before
the court unless the order is made;
(d) the prejudice, loss or damage likely to be suffered by the
applicant if the order is not made;
(e) the name, address, firm and commercial litigation experience of
an independent solicitor, who agrees to being appointed to serve
the order, supervise its enforcement and do the other things the
court directs;
(f) if the premises to be searched are or include residential
premises—whether or not the applicant believes that the only
occupants of the premises are likely to be young children or an
unaccompanied female, or both;
(g) if the application is made in the Supreme Court and the applicant
claims that the applicant has an existing or prospective cause of
action that is justiciable in Australia—
(i) the basis of the claim for principal relief; and
(ii) if the application is made without being served on the
respondent—any possible defence or other response to the
claim;
(h) if the application is made in the Magistrates Court, the applicant
has started a proceeding in the court and the applicant claims
that the applicant has a cause of action that is justiciable in
Australia—
(i) the basis of the claim for principal relief; and
(ii) if the application is made without being served on the
respondent—any possible defence or other response to the
(4) The court may amend or set aside the search order.
Rule 752