Kim Dotcom, the controversial founder of file-sharing website Megaupload, could have $200m of dollars in assets returned, after a New Zealand court ruled that police had made procedural errors when applying to seize the property.

Judge Judith Potter ruled on Friday that the restraining order placed on Dotcom was "null and void", according to the New Zealand Herald.

The judge decided that the police had applied for the "incorrect order" when seeking to get a restraining order against Dotcom.

The order – which allowed local police to seize around $200m worth of assets – did not give Dotcom the opportunity to fight the seizure in court. His defence team has challenged the error and asked the court to issue an order to return his property.

The judge has granted a temporary order against Dotcom, while she reviews Dotcom's assets should be returned to him.

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