National Health Service Act 2006

Production of documents

10 (1) A justice of the peace may issue a warrant under this paragraph if he is satisfied, on information on oath laid on the Secretary of State’s behalf, that there are any reasonable grounds for suspecting that there are on any premises any documents—

(a) of which production has been required by virtue of paragraph 9, and

(b) which have not been produced in compliance with that requirement.

(2) A warrant so issued may authorise any constable, together with any other persons named in the warrant and any other constables to—

(a) enter the premises specified in the information (using such force as is reasonably necessary for the purpose), and

(b) search the premises and take possession of any documents appearing to be such documents as are mentioned above, or to take in relation to any documents so appearing any other steps which may appear necessary for preserving them and preventing interference with them.

(3) Each warrant issued under this paragraph continues in force until the end of the period of one month after the date on which it is issued.

(4) Any documents of which possession is taken under this paragraph may be retained—

(a) for a period of three months, or

(b) if within that period proceedings to which they are relevant are commenced for an offence under section 260 or this Schedule, until the conclusion of those proceedings.

(5) A person is guilty of an offence, and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale, if he obstructs the exercise of—

(a) any right of entry or search conferred by virtue of a warrant under this paragraph, or

(b) any rights so conferred to take possession of any documents.

(6) Sub-paragraph (5) is subject to paragraph 11.