What does a 'double lock' mean in English law?

What does a 'double lock' mean in English law?

• A. Warrant valid for 24 hours
• B. Warrant applies only to digital search
• C. Warrant requires two signatories
• D. Warrant to search the house can be given by two people

Answer: (C)

Double lock means two independent signatories are required to issue a warrant to search. This is a safeguard in English law: no single officer can authorize a search of a home or private premises—the warrant must be approved by two magistrates, providing a check against abuse of power. It isn’t about a 24-hour limit or about digital versus physical searches, and it isn’t simply about two people giving the warrant—the crucial point is that two separate, independent approvals are required.

Double lock means two independent signatories are required to issue a warrant to search. This is a safeguard in English law: no single officer can authorize a search of a home or private premises—the warrant must be approved by two magistrates, providing a check against abuse of power. It isn’t about a 24-hour limit or about digital versus physical searches, and it isn’t simply about two people giving the warrant—the crucial point is that two separate, independent approvals are required.