http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/6/section/453ACompanies Act 1985An Act to consolidate the greater part of the Companies Acts.1985-03-11texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-04-16Expert Participation2026-04-07 Part XIVInvestigation of Companies and Their Affairs; Requisition of Documents Requisition and seizure of books and papers<Addition ChangeId="d29p8834" CommentaryRef="c19377031">Power to enter and remain on premises</Addition>453A1An inspector or investigator may act under subsection (2) in relation to a company if—ahe is authorised to do so by the Secretary of State, andbhe thinks that to do so will materially assist him in the exercise of his functions under this Part in relation to the company.2An inspector or investigator may at all reasonable times—arequire entry to relevant premises, andbremain there for such period as he thinks necessary for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1)(b).3Relevant premises are premises which the inspector or investigator believes are used (wholly or partly) for the purposes of the company’s business.4In exercising his powers under subsection (2), an inspector or investigator may be accompanied by such other persons as he thinks appropriate.5A person who intentionally obstructs a person lawfully acting under subsection (2) or (4) is guilty of an offence.5AA person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—aon conviction on indictment, to a fine;bon summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7An inspector is a person appointed under section 431, 432 or 442.8An investigator is a person authorised for the purposes of section 447.Ss. 453A, 453B inserted (6.4.2005) by Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004 (c. 27), ss. 23, 65; S.I. 2004/3322, art. 2(2), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-13)S. 453A restricted (20.1.2007, 6.4.2007, 1.10.2007 for specified purposes) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1126, 1300 (with s. 1133); S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(2)(b) (subject to art. 5, Sch. 1 and with arts. 6, 8, Sch. 5 (as amended by S.I. 2007/3495, art. 11, Sch. 5)); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(2)(c); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(1)(l)(3)(h) (with art. 12); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(1)(n) (with arts. 7, 12)Words in s. 453A(5) substituted for s. 453A(5)(a)(b) (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1124, 1300, Sch. 3 para. 6(2) (with s. 1133); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(1)(k) (with art. 12, Sch. 3 para. 48 and subject to Sch. 1)S. 453A(5A) inserted (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1124, 1300, Sch. 3 para. 6(3) (with s. 1133); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(1)(k) (with art. 12, Sch. 3 para. 48 and subject to Sch. 1)S. 453A(6) repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1124, 1295, 1300, Sch. 3 para. 6(4), Sch. 16 (with s. 1133); S.I. 2007/2194, arts. 2(1)(k), 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12, Sch. 3 para. 48 and subject to Sch. 1)S. 453A applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (6.4.2014) by The Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies and Credit Unions (Investigations) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/574), regs. 1(1), 2Pt. 14 power to apply (with modifications) (1.8.2014) by Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 (c. 14), ss. 135, 154 (with Sch. 5)