Which factor must the court consider for granting a search order?

The requirement that the applicant must show potential serious loss if the order is not granted is crucial for the court's consideration in granting a search order. This standard reflects the court's duty to balance the interests of both the applicant and the respondent, as search orders can significantly impact the latter's rights. By demonstrating potential serious loss, the applicant establishes urgency and necessity for the court's intervention. This requirement helps ensure that search orders are not granted lightly and that there is sufficient justification for the disruption and intrusion that such an order entails.

In the context of the other options, the absence of a signed agreement from the respondent does not automatically disqualify the granting of a search order. Filing a complete defense is not a prerequisite for seeking a search order; the application can be considered independently of ongoing pleadings. Lastly, while the presence of evidence may be important, the court primarily looks for the likelihood of serious loss as the key factor in deciding whether to issue the order, rather than the evidence needing to be at hand at the exact moment of the application.