Supervising Solicitors

Providing expert advice and support in relation to search orders.

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Experienced supervising solicitors

The execution of a search order typically takes place in very high-pressure circumstances.  Difficult practical and logistical decisions need to be made swiftly by the supervising solicitor appointed to oversee the lawful execution of the search. The supervising solicitor must ensure that the rights and interests of all the parties involved are recognised and upheld during the course of the search, and often when these rights may be competing.

Members of our award-winning dispute resolution team have substantial experience of acting as supervising solicitors in such high stakes’ circumstances, as well as acting generally for claimants or defendants executing or responding to a search (or other orders such as imaging or delivery-up orders).

In addition, we are experienced in helping firms prepare in advance of dawn raids and/or unannounced visits by the FCA, PRA, CMA, SFO and other law enforcement bodies where criminal conduct or other serious misconduct is suspected. Our lawyers provide clear and pragmatic advice during the course of a raid or visit and can support firms to navigate dawn raids/unannounced visits as they unfold.

Our services

At Foot Anstey, we provide specialist support in:

We have vital experience of being appointed as the supervising solicitor to oversee the service and execution of search orders, as well as acting for claimants who need to secure a search order or defendants who are unexpectedly served with and must respond urgently to a search order.

We are experienced in helping firms prepare in advance of dawn raids and/or unannounced visits by the FCA, PRA, CMA, SFO and other law enforcement bodies where criminal conduct or other serious misconduct is suspected.  We can support firms to navigate dawn raids/unannounced visits as they unfold.

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The FCA and PRA have extensive statutory powers to require firms to provide documents and information within a specified time frame but they can also conduct unannounced visits.  We can support you prepare for an unannounced visit and support you on the day.

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We have significant and specialist experience in advising and representing clients in intellectual property disputes. We provide strategic legal support to help businesses navigate and resolve complex IP issues effectively across various sectors, with many of our team members recognised as leaders in the field of IP.

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The UK has been described as fertile ground for fraudsters. The types of fraud risks and responsive actions differ from one sector to another. We have a multi-disciplinary team of fraud lawyers with extensive experience in pursuing and defending allegations of fraud through the civil, criminal and regulatory processes.

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We have extensive experience in financial services investigations and enforcement by the FCA, PRA, Ofgem and other regulators.  We advise banks, regulated firms, corporates and senior individuals on issues such as market abuse, money laundering and corporate governance. When a potential regulatory breach arises, our team provides clear, practical advice, focusing on mitigating legal, reputational and litigation risks, while ensuring clients are fully supported through each stage of the regulatory process.

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We have significant experience in representing clients before the High Court in applying for and defending applications for urgent interim injunctive relief, where speed and strategy can be critical as to whether or not an interim injunction is awarded or refused. In high pressure, urgent circumstances we can successfully navigate clients in securing or avoiding interim remedies.

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One of the most powerful and effective court orders is a worldwide freezing injunction preventing asset dissipation by one of the parties to a dispute.  Our award-winning dispute resolution is dedicated to achieving business critical remedies for clients when needed

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From everyday commercial disagreements to pivotal business-critical claims, every dispute demands a tailored approach. No matter the issue, businesses need agile, insightful advisors who truly understand their operations. Our award-winning dispute resolution team is dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes for clients.

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Why choose Foot Anstey?

The ability of an experienced supervising solicitor quickly to gain the respect of the parties involved in a search and to secure negotiated agreements on points of contention is fundamental to a search proceeding smoothly and without the need for either party to resort to the court during the course of the search.  Our lawyers have this valuable experience and can navigate highly charged, fast moving situations decisively.

Our team is able to be on hand to attend immediately at the premises of any defendant to a search order who needs urgent advice within the two-hour window afforded to them to secure advice and representation. The team brings all of its experience of the tactics often employed by a claimant and its solicitors gained when acting as a supervising solicitor in order to guide and protect the defendant.

Equally, our team uses this experience to advise a claimant applying for a search order and whilst undertaking the search on how best to ensure critical evidence is preserved and to anticipate and strategise the objections and challenges typically raised by potentially fraudulent defendants.

Our people

A supervising solicitor must have experience of carrying out their role given the serious responsibilities they bear during the course of a search, particularly around potentially challenging and complex issues that can arise such as whether material is privileged or the privilege against self-incrimination.

Our lawyers have this valuable experience to deploy in overseeing the service and execution of the search.

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What do our clients say?

Strong presence regionally, but with the skills of a London firm.

Legal 500, 2025

Impressive breadth of experience and ability in Bristol.

Legal 500, 2025

Frequently asked questions?

A search order is an exceptional order made by the court to preserve documents where there is a real possibility of the destruction or deletion of material in the defendant’s possession which is relevant to a claim against them, and which would likely be destroyed if the defendant is given any notice that such a claim is being contemplated or is threatened.

Search orders are frequently made in cases where there is strong evidence of serious fraud or data misuse, or in intellectual property cases where there has been the theft or misappropriation of confidential information and company proprietary material.

The search order permits a search party to enter into the defendant’s premises (which may be business and/or residential premises, depending on where offending material may be being kept) to search for and deliver into the safekeeping of the claimant’s solicitors any documents or articles identified in the search order.

The search party will include a computer expert who can take images of any computers, laptops, phones and other electronic storage devices at the premises so that these do not need to be taken away and searched or imaged by the search party.

Given the draconian and highly intrusive nature of a search order, the court ensures that there are procedural safeguards built into the order to ensure that the search is not excessive or oppressive.  In particular, an independent solicitor is appointed by the court (the supervising solicitor) to serve the search order on the defendant and oversee its lawful execution at the premises.

The supervising solicitor must have experience of carrying out this role given the serious responsibilities they bear during the course of the search to ensure the rights of all the parties are upheld. This is particularly around potentially challenging and complex issues that can arise such as privileged material or the privilege against self-incrimination.

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