(1)In every case [F1in Northern Ireland] in which any verdict or judgment by default shall be had against any person for composing, printing, or publishing [F2any blasphemous libel ][F3, or any seditious libel tending to bring into hatred or contempt the person of his Majesty or the government and constitution of the United Kingdom as by law established, or either House of Parliament, or to excite his Majesty’s subjects to attempt the alteration of any matter in Church or State as by law established, otherwise than by lawful means], it shall be lawful for the judge or the court before whom or in which such verdict shall have been given, or the court in which such judgment by default shall be had, to make an order for the seizure and carrying away and detaining in safe custody, in such manner as shall be directed in such order, all copies of the libel which shall be in the possession of the person against whom such verdict or judgment shall have been had, or in the possession of any other person named in the order for his use, evidence upon oath having been previously given to the satisfaction of such court or judge, that a copy or copies of the said libel is or are in the possession of such other person for the use of the person against whom such verdict or judgment shall have been had as aforesaid; and in every such case it shall be lawful for any justice of the peace, or for any constable or other peace officer, acting under any such order, or for any person or persons acting with or in aid of any such justice of the peace, constable, or other peace officer, to search for any copies of such libel in any house, building, or other place whatsoever belonging to the person against whom any such verdict or judgment shall have been had, or to any other person so named, in whose possession any copies of any such libel, belonging to the person against whom any such verdict or judgment shall have been had, shall be; and in case admission shall be refused or not obtained within a reasonable time after it shall have been first demanded, to enter by force by day into any such house, building, or place whatsoever, and to carry away all copies of the libel there found, and to detain the same in safe custody, until the same shall be restored under the provisions of this Act, or disposed of according to any further order made in relation thereto.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 1 inserted (E.W.N.I.) (12.1.2010) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(2)(c), Sch. 21 para. 65(1)(a) (with s. 180)
F2Words in s. 1 repealed (E.W.) (8.7.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 79(2), 153(2)(d), Sch. 28 Pt. 5
F3Words in s. 1 repealed (E.W.N.I.) (12.1.2010) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(2)(c)(e)(ii), Sch. 21 para. 65(1)(b), Sch. 23 Pt. 2 (with s. 180)