Search warrant in FCA-led investigation quashed but further relief refused

The Divisional Court (Yip LJ and Griffiths J) has quashed a search warrant obtained by the Metropolitan Police Service on behalf of the Financial Conduct Authority. The warrant was obtained pursuant to an investigation into a barrister’s role in an alleged fraud.

Both the MPS and the FCA conceded that the warrant should be quashed but argued that the further relief sought by the Claimant, including delivery up of the seized material and a permanent injunction on its use, should be refused. The Divisional Court agreed and declined to grant the further relief sought. The FCA was given leave to apply to retain the material under section 59 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001.

Ryan Dowding represented the Metropolitan Police Service.

Read more about the case here here and here.

The full judgment can be found here.

13th March 2026