Anton Piller Orders

seeking to prevent destruction of evidence in defendants possession which is off vital importance for the trial

important cases

Bank Mellat v Nikpour one of laws 2 Nuclear weapons

EMI v Pandit - a claim for copy right infringement, risk if not allowed enter evidence destroyed - was granted

Anton Piller v Manufacturing Processes belief that sales agent selling equipment to competitor, court granted ex parte order to enter premsies and inspect documents relating to equipment

limits

actual or potential damage of serious nature

evidence the defendant has evidence and real possibility of destruction if done inter partes

extremely strong prima facie case

no real harm caused to defendant )don't want fishing expedition)

advantages

allows entry although can't force way in

done ex-parte

Microsoft v Brightpoint suprise is the essence, if no suprise than weakened

Elvee v Clive Taylor

first case

gave guidelines (reiterated and high threshold)

strong prima facie case

show actual or potential damage of very serious nature

clear evidence of incriminating evidence

real possibility of destruction before inter parte application

no real harm to defendant - can be fishing or intimidatory

discretionary

Emmanuel v Emmanuel solicitor permission to take away documents in locked filing cabinet

Universal Thermosensors v Hibben if male solicitor going to lone female, be accompaneid by a female

refusal of access

two approaches

Wardle Fabrics someone not obeying order should be liable as is contempt

Hallmark Cards if later dismissed, order wrongly given no liability

balance important

O'Brien v Red Flag claimed conspiarcy to defame him, wanted access to offices to find evidence - not granted - preservation and non-disclosure orders made instead - forensic images of computers made