In British and British-derived legal systems, an Anton Piller order (frequently misspelt as Anton Pillar order) is a court order which provides for the right to search premises without prior warning.
This is used in order to prevent the destruction of incriminating evidence, particularly in cases of alleged copyright infringement.
The first such order was issued in the case of Anton Piller KG vs Manufacturing Processes Limited in 1976.
Clearly by the words used in Anton Piller; 'extremely strong' case, damage be 'very serious' and 'clear evidence' of incriminating documents, showed that the intention was that this order should only be granted where absolutely necessary, 'where the ends of justice would otherwise be defeated' 7.
Later in the case of Lock International plc v Beswick 16 the concern expressed was noted and an AP order was refused, Hoffman J stating that their use, 'can only be done where there is a paramount need to prevent a denial of justice to the plaintiffs' 17.
Anton Piller orders at this stage in their development could only be described as extremely unequitable with the potential for widespread abuse.