Pawnbrokers Act 2015 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 2 · Regulation of Pawnbrokers, Etc.
31. Power to seize property, etc., in certain circumstances
Feedback & supportThe Registrar may seize any property —
Registrar
“Registrar” means the Registrar of Pawnbrokers appointed under section 5, and includes any Deputy Registrar of Pawnbrokers or Assistant Registrar of Pawnbrokers exercising the functions of the Registrar;
in respect of which a contravention of this Act is suspected to have been committed;
that is suspected to have been used or intended to be used in a contravention of this Act; or
that is suspected to constitute evidence of a contravention of this Act.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Instead of seizing any property under subsection (1), the Registrar may, by written order —
prohibit any person from dealing with the property; and
require any person to affix the order or a copy of the order on or near the property.
It shall be an offence for a person to —
knowingly obstruct or prevent, or attempt to obstruct or prevent, the Registrar from exercising the powers under subsection (1) or (6); or
dispose of or deal in any property contrary to the Registrar’s order under subsection (6).