18Warrant to enter premises

18 Warrant to enter premises

(1)  An authorised officer may apply to a justice for a warrant to enter the premises specified in the application.

(2)  The justice may issue the warrant if satisfied that a warrant is reasonably required for the purposes of this Act.

(3)  A warrant authorises the authorised officer –

(a) to enter the premises specified in the warrant; and

(b) to do anything reasonably required for the administration or enforcement of this Act.

(4)  A warrant is to specify the date on which, and the time at which, the warrant ceases to have effect.

(5)  An application for a warrant may be made by telephone, facsimile or other prescribed means if the authorised officer considers that the urgency of the situation requires it.

(6)  If the justice decides to issue a warrant on an application under subsection (5) , the justice is to –

(a) complete and sign the warrant; and

(b) inform the applicant of –

(i) the terms of the warrant; and

(ii) the date and time of the issue of the warrant; and

(iii) the date and time when the warrant is to cease to have effect; and

(c) record on the warrant the reasons for issuing it.

(7)  The authorised officer must –

(a) complete a warrant form in the same terms as the warrant signed by the justice; and

(b) write on the form –

(i) the name of the justice; and

(ii) the date and time of the issue of the warrant; and

(c) send to the justice the completed form not later than the day after the warrant is executed or ceases to have effect.