Company Law Enforcement Act, 2001

Amendment of section 245A of Act of 1963.

45.—Section 245A of the Act of 1963 is amended—

(a) by the substitution for “If in the course of an examination” of “(1) If in the course of an examination”,

(b) by the substitution for “the court may order such person” of “the court may, of its own motion or on the application of the Director, order such person”, and

(c) by the insertion of the following after subsection (1):

“(2) Where the court has made an order under subsection (1), it may, on the application of the Director or the liquidator, make a further order permitting the applicant, accompanied by such persons as the applicant thinks appropriate, to enter at any time or times within one month from the date of issue of the order, any premises (including a dwelling) owned or occupied by the person the subject of the order under subsection (1) (using such force as is reasonably necessary for the purpose), to search the premises and to seize any money, property or books and papers of the company found on the premises.

(3) Where the court has made an order under subsection (2), the applicant shall report to it as soon as may be on the outcome of any action on foot of the court's order and the court shall direct the applicant as to the disposition of anything seized on foot of the order.

(4) A direction under subsection (3) shall not be made in favour of the Director except in respect of the Director's costs and reasonable expenses.

(5) A person who obstructs the exercise of a right of entry, search and seizure conferred by virtue of an order made under subsection (2) or who obstructs the exercise of a right so conferred to take possession of anything referred to in that subsection, shall be guilty of an offence.

(6) Proceedings on foot of an offence under subsection (5) shall not prejudice the power of the court to issue proceedings for contempt of court for failure by a person to comply with an order under this section.”.