Singapore legislation

Section 31

of Pawnbrokers Act 2015

Section 31

Power to seize property, etc., in certain circumstances

(1)

The Registrar may seize any property —

(a)

in respect of which a contravention of this Act is suspected to have been committed;

(b)

that is suspected to have been used or intended to be used in a contravention of this Act; or

(c)

that is suspected to constitute evidence of a contravention of this Act.

(2)

Subsection (1) does not apply to property held or suspected to be held in an account or a safe deposit box in a financial institution.

(3)

The occupier or person-in-charge of a place from which property is to be seized under subsection (1), or a representative of the occupier or person‑in‑charge, may attend during the seizure.

(4)

The Registrar must prepare and sign a list of any property seized under subsection (1), recording the location from which each item of property is seized.

(5)

A signed copy of the list must be given to the occupier or person‑in‑charge of the place from which property was seized, or a representative of the occupier or person‑in‑charge.

(6)

Instead of seizing any property under subsection (1), the Registrar may, by written order —

(a)

prohibit any person from dealing with the property; and

(b)

require any person to affix the order or a copy of the order on or near the property.

(7)

It shall be an offence for a person to —

(a)

knowingly obstruct or prevent, or attempt to obstruct or prevent, the Registrar from exercising the powers under subsection (1) or (6); or

(b)

dispose of or deal in any property contrary to the Registrar’s order under subsection (6).

Read in full context — Pawnbrokers Act 2015 →