Queensland Law Society collaborated with the Queensland Police Service to develop the Search Warrant Guidelines. The guidelines assist solicitors and police when executing warrants on solicitors’ premises. Launched on 28 February 2017, the guidelines address the process to be followed and obligations to be met, in the event of the execution of a search warrant on solicitors’ premises in Queensland.
The execution of search warrants by police on solicitors’ offices has historically caused problems for the police, practitioners and the public. These include access to documents, interference in the running of practices, and potential access to client documents without due cause. The new guidelines bring certainty and ensure the rights of all participants are protected according to law as well as the ethical obligations of both practitioners and police.
