{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/armed-forces-entry-search-and-seizure-order-2003/article-8",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/armed-forces-entry-search-and-seizure-order-2003/article-8.json",
  "legislation": "uksi/2003/2273",
  "legislation_title": "The Armed Forces (Entry, Search and Seizure) Order 2003",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/armed-forces-entry-search-and-seizure-order-2003",
  "path": "article/8",
  "kind": "article",
  "number": "8",
  "heading": "Search warrants – safeguards",
  "text": "(1) This article and articles 9 and 10 have effect in relation to the issue to service policemen under section 5 or Schedule 1 of warrants to enter and search premises; and an entry on or search of premises under a warrant is unlawful unless it complies with this article and articles 9 and 10.\n(2) Where a service policeman applies for any such warrant, it shall be his duty—\n(a) to state the ground on which he makes the application;\n(b) to specify the premises which it is desired to enter and search; and\n(c) to identify, so far as is practicable, the articles to be sought.\n(3) An application for such a warrant shall be made ex parte and supported by a statement in writing, which shall—\n(a) specify the name, rank and unit of the person who applies for it;\n(b) state the ground on which he makes the application;\n(c) identify, so far as is practicable, the articles to be sought;\n(d) specify the premises which it is desired to enter and search; and\n(e) specify the enactment under which the warrant would be issued.\n(4) The service policeman shall answer on oath any question that the judicial officer hearing the application asks him.\n(5) A warrant shall authorise an entry on one occasion only.\n(6) A warrant—\n(a) shall specify—\n(i) the name, rank and unit of the person who applies for it;\n(ii) the date on which it is issued;\n(iii) the enactment under which it is issued; and\n(iv) the premises to be searched; and\n(b) shall identify, so far as is practicable, the articles to be sought.\n(7) Two copies shall be made of a warrant.\n(8) The copies shall be clearly certified as copies.",
  "extent": null,
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f1",
      "text": "By virtue of section 16(1), premises includes any place and, in particular, includes (a) any vehicle, vessel, aircraft or hovercraft, and (b) any tent or movable structure."
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [
    {
      "type": "am (1.1.2007)",
      "affecting": "uksi/2006/3244",
      "affecting_title": "The Armed Forces (Entry, Search and Seizure) (Amendment) Order 2006"
    }
  ],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/2273/article/8",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T06:00:12.692042+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}