Legal Director Nicola Sharp tells TL4 about the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on search order applications

An article by Rahman Ravelli’s Nicola Sharp about the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on search order applications has been published in the TL4 Fire Magazine review of the year.

Nicola’s piece, “Search Orders in the Time of a Pandemic’’, considered the case of Calor Gas Ltd v Chorley Bottle Gas Ltd and others [2020] that saw Calor Gas make an application for a search order.

The judge had to take into account COVID-19 when considering the application. With the hearing being conducted via conference call, the case showed how courts are being affected by the pandemic.

The specific terms of the order also indicated how the pandemic is having an effect on the granting of applications. Unusually for a search order, there was no permission granted to search for or remove documentation or computers during the search.

The judge also stated that all members of the search party had to have a temperature test before entering the premises and that nobody in the premises could be going through the shielding process. Rules were also laid down regarding social distancing and the use and supply of personal protective equipment during the search.

Nicola's article can be read here.