Search Orders

Background

The Council of Chief Justices of Australia and New Zealand (Council) adopted the harmonised rules relating to search orders in 2006.  Search orders are also known as “Anton Piller Orders”.

The main difference between the search orders rules at Federal and Supreme Court level is the extent to which particular jurisdictions have adopted the requirements in the harmonised practice note as formal rules of court.  

The harmonised rules cover the following topic areas regarding search orders:

  • Search orders
  • Requirements for grant of search order
  • Jurisdiction
  • Terms of search order
  • Independent lawyers
  • Costs  
     

Implementation of the harmonised rules

 

The harmonised rules have been adopted in similar form in all Australian jurisdictions, and by the High Court of New Zealand, as follows: 

 

The harmonised rules have been adopted in similar form in all Australian jurisdictions, and by the High Court of New Zealand, as follows: 

 

Federal Court of Australia

Division 7.5 – Search orders of Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth)

 

Australian Capital Territory

Subdivision 2.9.4.3 of the Court Procedure Rules 2006 (ACT)

 

New South Wales

Division 3 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW)

 

New Zealand

Part 33 of the High Court Rules 2016 (NZ)

 

Northern Territory

Order 37B of the Supreme Court Rules (NT)

 

Queensland

Division 3 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (Qld)

 

South Australia

Chapter 10, Part 2, Division 1 of the Uniform Civil Rules 2020 (SA)

 

Tasmania

Division 1B of the Supreme Court Rules 2000 (TAS)

 

Victoria

Order 37B of the Supreme Court (General Civil Procedure) Rules 2015 (Vic)

 

Western Australia

Order 52B of the Rules of the Supreme Court 1971 (WA)

 

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) has not adopted the harmonised rules relating to search orders. Part 5.4, Division 5.4.2 of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Family Law) Rules 2021 (Cth) deals with applications for Anton Piller Orders.

Practice Notes  

 

The harmonised practice note introduced in the Federal Court in 2006 has been adopted in substantially similar form in the following jurisdictions: 

 

Federal Court of Australia

Search Orders Practice Note (GPN-SRCH)

 

Australian Capital Territory

Practice Note 2 of 2008 NI2008-78 Search Orders (also known as 'Anton Piller Orders')

 

New South Wales

Practice Note SC Gen 13 Supreme Court - Search Orders (also known as 'Anton Piller Orders')

 

Northern Territory

Practice Direction 6 of 2006 Anton Piller Orders 

 

Queensland

Practice Direction 2 of 2007 - District Court 

Practice Direction 2 of 2007 - Supreme Court 

 

South Australia

Schedule 2 of the Uniform Civil Rules 2020 (SA)

Tasmania

Practice Direction 4 of 2006 Search Orders (Also known as 'Anton Piller Orders') 

 

Victoria

SC GEN 16 Search Orders