Managing a domestic dawn raid

Some authorities have the power to conduct dawn raids at domestic premises. ‘Domestic premises’ refers to part of a property used as a dwelling that is also used for business purposes, or where business-related documents (whether physical or electronic), are kept.

A domestic dawn raid is a serious and often unexpected event. Facing it alone can make the experience particularly stressful and disorienting. At Eversheds Sutherland, we understand the pressure and uncertainty this can cause. The following steps are designed to help you respond with confidence, ensuring you remain compliant while safeguarding your rights.

Ask the officials to produce:
- their personal ID cards; and
- the necessary authorisation documents to conduct a dawn raid at a domestic premises.
Take a copy / photo of the paperwork if the officials do not have a copy for you.
Ask the Lead Official for their mobile number.

Immediately contact the Legal Team/Senior Management on arrival of the officials, informing them that your domestic premises is being raided. Send them a copy of the documents presented, provide them with details of the officials on site, the lead official's mobile number and any other relevant information you have about the raid.
The Legal Team/Senior Management will arrange for a team to be mobilised to attend as quickly as possible. Pending arrival, they will provide support by phone so that you do not have to deal with the officials without guidance.
Follow any instructions given by the Legal Team or external counsel.
Consider instructing your own independent legal advisor to avoid any conflicts.

Politely ask the officials to wait for the Legal Team or external counsel to arrive.
Tell them how long you expect them to be.
They will generally wait a reasonable time (typically 30-60 minutes).
If it is a criminal investigation they are unlikely to wait.

Keep a record of the actions taken by the officials, including a list of any paper or electronic documents copied by the officials, IT equipment accessed (business and personal devices), any questions they ask you, and any areas of interest that they draw to your attention.
If they do ask you questions, you should ask the officials to allow you to respond to these once support has arrived.
Try not to let them wander unaccompanied in your premises.
If possible, searches of electronic data should be delayed until the arrival of the Legal Team.
Maintain contact with the Legal Team/Senior Management throughout the inspection.
If you are unsure whether or not to comply with any request from an official, check first with the Legal Team.

Back to main menu

Stay informed

Change language

© Eversheds Sutherland. All rights reserved. Eversheds Sutherland is a global provider of legal and other services operating through various separate and distinct legal entities. Eversheds Sutherland is the name and brand under which the members of Eversheds Sutherland Limited (Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP and Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP) and their respective controlled, managed and affiliated firms and the members of Eversheds Sutherland (Europe) Limited (each an "Eversheds Sutherland Entity" and together the "Eversheds Sutherland Entities") provide legal or other services to clients around the world. Eversheds Sutherland Entities are constituted and regulated in accordance with relevant local regulatory and legal requirements and operate in accordance with their locally registered names. The use of the name Eversheds Sutherland, is for description purposes only and does not imply that the Eversheds Sutherland Entities are in a partnership or are part of a global LLP. The responsibility for the provision of services to the client is defined in the terms of engagement between the instructed firm and the client.

Connect with us