196 Entry and search of premises.U.K.
(1)If a justice of the peace is satisfied by information on oath—
(a)that there is reasonable ground for suspecting that an offence under section 13 F1... or 97 has been or is being committed on any premises specified in the information, and
(b)that evidence of the commission of the offence is to be found on those premises,
he may grant a search warrant conferring power on any person or persons authorised in that behalf by [F2OFCOM] to enter and search the premises specified in the information at any time within one month from the date of the warrant.
F3(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3)A person who intentionally obstructs a person in the exercise of powers conferred on him under this section shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding the fifth level on the standard scale.
(4)A person who discloses, otherwise than for the purposes of any legal proceedings or of a report of any such proceedings, any information obtained by means of an exercise of powers conferred by this section shall be guilty of an offence and liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;
(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine, or both.
(5)In the application of this section to Scotland, for the reference to a justice of the peace there shall be substituted a reference to the sheriff and for any reference to information on oath there shall be substituted a reference to evidence on oath.
(6)In the application of this section to Northern Ireland, for the reference to a justice of the peace there shall be substituted a reference to a resident magistrate and for any reference to information on oath there shall be substituted a reference to a complaint on oath.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 196(1)(a) repealed (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 19(1) Note 1 (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)
F2Words in s. 196(1) substituted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 15 para. 66(2) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)
F3S. 196(2) repealed (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 15 para. 66(3), Sch. 19(1) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 196(1): transfer of functions (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 1 para. 9 (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)