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Legal Profession Act 2006
536Warrants—application made other than in person
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536 Warrants—application made other than in person
(1) An investigator may apply for a warrant by phone, fax, radio or other
form of communication if the investigator considers it necessary
because of—
(a) urgent circumstances; or
(b) other special circumstances.
(2) Before applying for the warrant, the investigator must prepare an
application stating the grounds on which the warrant is sought.
(3) The investigator may apply for the warrant before the application is
sworn.
(4) After issuing the warrant, the magistrate must immediately provide a
written copy to the investigator if it is practicable to do so.
(5) If it is not practicable to provide a written copy to the investigator—
(a) the magistrate must tell the investigator—
(i) the terms of the warrant; and
(ii) the date and time the warrant was issued; and
(b) the investigator must complete a form of warrant (the warrant
form) and write on it—
(i) the magistrate’s name; and
(ii) the date and time the magistrate issued the warrant; and
(iii) the warrant’s terms.
(6) The written copy of the warrant, or the warrant form properly
completed by the investigator, authorises the entry and the exercise
of the investigator’s powers under this part.
(7) The investigator must, at the first reasonable opportunity, send to the
magistrate—
(a) the sworn application; and
(b) if the investigator completed a warrant form—the completed
warrant form.
(8) On receiving the documents, the magistrate must attach them to the
(9) A court must find that a power exercised by the investigator was not
authorised by a warrant under this section if—
(a) the question arises in a proceeding in the court whether the
exercise of power was authorised by a warrant; and
(b) the warrant is not produced in evidence; and
(c) it is not proved that the exercise of power was authorised by a
warrant under this section.