Q&As

We are due to conduct a search order, but the premises at which it was due to be conducted have been closed due to coronavirus (COVID-19) and/or those due to be conducting the search have concerns about the virus. What steps can we take?

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Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis
Produced in partnership with Oliver Hilton of Radcliffe Chambers
Published on: 23 March 2020
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This Q&A concerns the Enforcement and conduct of a Search order against a respondent in respect of material contained on their computer equipment, and in particular asks what steps can be taken in three scenarios where:

  1. •

    the premises at which the search is to be conducted are closed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak,

  2. •

    the respondent refuses entry on the basis that they are self-isolating, or

  3. •

    those due to conduct the search have concerns about executing the search order because of the fear of becoming infected

The court has the power to authorise one party to enter the premises owned by another party (or prospective party) in civil proceedings, and to inspect or detain and preserve evidence relevant to, or property being kept there which is or may be

Oliver Hilton
Oliver Hilton

Barrister, Radcliffe Chambers

Oliver enjoys a busy and thriving traditional and commercial Chancery practice. His expertise is in trusts, wills and estates, with a particular focus on succession and property disputes, pensions and charities. He has substantial experience in dealing with a broad range of administration issues.

As well as non-contentious drafting and advisory work, Oliver has a strong litigation practice: he appears regularly in the High Court, including in large scale, complex, high profile cases; he has acted on numerous occasions before the Court of Appeal; and he has considerable experience representing clients at mediations. Oliver is equally at home acting as sole counsel or being led, and he particularly enjoys working as part of a wider team.


Experience and Expertise

Oliver specialises in trusts, estates and property disputes, especially contentious probate, breach of fiduciary duties, setting aside lifetime transactions, Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 claims and real property related litigation, including constructive trusts, proprietary estoppel and co-ownership disputes (both in the commercial and domestic context) as well as personal property.

Oliver regularly advises and acts for trustees, personal representatives and beneficiaries on all issues that may arise during administration of trusts/estates/pension schemes, including questions of construction, distribution, the exercise of administrative and dispositive powers and Beddoe applications. He has gained a wealth of experience in drafting complex and intricate wills, trusts, pension documentation and associated instruments, as well as applying for variation of the same.

Oliver’s practice also includes dealing with the consequences of mistakes in relation to the creation of, amendments to and administration of wills, trusts and pension schemes, both in the context of rectification/rescission and removal from office.

Oliver's practice compliments his considerable expertise in pensions related matters, having acted and advised in relation to pensions liberation schemes, amendments to trust deeds, pensions administration, trustee disclosure, the winding up of schemes and the interaction between bankruptcy and pensions.

Oliver's trusts and estates expertise also encompasses charities and tax and professional negligence related matters.

A significant proportion of Oliver's chancery practice is commercial in nature. Fraud and asset tracing and recovery in particular form an important part of Oliver's practice. He also acts regularly in relation to company and shareholder disputes (including unfair prejudice petitions), partnerships, insolvency, business contract disputes, guarantees and finance related matters.

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Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
Related legal acts:
Key definition:
Search order definition
What does Search order mean?

An order requiring a party to admit another party to premises for the purpose of preserving evidence.

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