Consumer Safety Act 1978

5 If a justice of the peace on sworn information in writing—

(a) is satisfied that there is reasonable ground to believe either—

(i) that any goods (including books and documents) which an officer of an enforcement authority has power under paragraph 3 of this Schedule to inspect are on any premises and that their inspection is likely to disclose evidence that relevant provisions have been contravened, or

(ii) that relevant provisions have been or are being or are about to be contravened on any premises ; and

(b) is also satisfied either—

(i) that admission to the premises has been or is likely to be refused and that notice of intention to apply for a warrant under this paragraph has been given to the occupier, or

(ii) that an application for admission, or the giving of such a notice, would defeat the object of the entry or that the premises are unoccupied or that the occupier is temporarily absent and it might defeat the object of the entry to await his return,

the justice may by warrant under his hand, which shall continue in force for a period of one month, authorise an officer of an enforcement authority to enter the premises, if need be by force.

In the application of this paragraph to Scotland " justice of the peace " shall be construed as including a sheriff.