Regulation 9 Powers of entry
United Kingdom
An authorised person may exercise any of the powers specified in this regulation for the purpose of ascertaining whether any person has made any statement or made use of any document which is false in a material particular.
An authorised person, on producing, if so required, a duly authenticated document showing that person’s authority, may at any reasonable hour enter any land or premises other than premises used wholly or mainly as a private dwelling.
A justice of the peace may by signed warrant permit an authorised person to enter any land or premises, if necessary by reasonable force, if the justice, on sworn information in writing (or, in Scotland, by evidence on oath, or, in Northern Ireland, on a sworn complaint in writing) is satisfied that—
there are reasonable grounds for an authorised person to enter the land or premises for the purpose mentioned in paragraph (1); and
one or more of the conditions in paragraph (4) is met.
The conditions are that—
entry to the land or premises has been refused, or is likely to be refused, and—
notice of the intention to apply for a warrant has been served on the occupier, or
no such notice has been served on the occupier because serving such a notice would interfere with the purpose or effectiveness of the entry;
entry is required urgently;
the premises are unoccupied or the occupier is temporarily absent.
A warrant is valid for three months.
An authorised person entering any land or premises by virtue of this regulation may be accompanied by—
any representative of the European Commission; and
such other persons as the authorised person considers necessary for any purpose mentioned in paragraph (1).
An authorised person who enters any unoccupied premises must leave them as effectively secured as they were before entry.
In paragraph (3), a reference to a justice of the peace—
in Scotland, includes a sheriff;
in Northern Ireland, is a reference to a lay magistrate.