What is the purpose of a search order, also known as an Anton Piller order?

The purpose of a search order, commonly referred to as an Anton Piller order, is to secure and preserve evidence that is relevant to a pending or anticipated legal dispute. This type of order allows a party to enter the premises of another party to search for and remove evidence that could be at risk of being destroyed or hidden if prior notice of the search were given. The key aspect of a search order is that it is usually sought without notifying the party against whom the order is being made, to ensure that the evidence remains intact and available for court proceedings.

This mechanism is particularly significant in cases where immediate action is required to protect the integrity of the evidence before a formal trial takes place.

Other options, while related to legal processes, do not align with the specific protective function of a search order. The enforcement of judgment, jurisdiction restrictions, and obtaining default judgments focus on different procedural aspects, rather than on evidence preservation directly.