diff --git a/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/avm/locking/AVMLockingServiceImpl.java b/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/avm/locking/AVMLockingServiceImpl.java
index d4d098452f..9f34cdf48b 100644
--- a/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/avm/locking/AVMLockingServiceImpl.java
+++ b/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/avm/locking/AVMLockingServiceImpl.java
@@ -190,15 +190,6 @@ public class AVMLockingServiceImpl implements AVMLockingService
         {
         case LOCK_NOT_OWNER:
         case LOCK_OWNER:
-            if (currentLockState.equals(LockState.LOCK_NOT_OWNER))
-            {
-                // The lock is held by another user
-                if (! AuthenticationUtil.isRunAsUserTheSystemUser())
-                {
-                    String currentLockOwner = getLockOwner(avmStore, path);
-                    throw new AVMLockingException("avmlockservice.locked", path, currentLockOwner);
-                }
-            }
             // Remove the lock first
             attributeService.removeAttribute(KEY_AVM_LOCKS, avmStore, path);
             HashMap<String, String> lockAttributes = createLockAttributes(lockOwner, lockData);
diff --git a/source/java/org/alfresco/service/cmr/avm/locking/AVMLockingService.java b/source/java/org/alfresco/service/cmr/avm/locking/AVMLockingService.java
index bd9d59aec2..22d21c9595 100644
--- a/source/java/org/alfresco/service/cmr/avm/locking/AVMLockingService.java
+++ b/source/java/org/alfresco/service/cmr/avm/locking/AVMLockingService.java
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ import org.alfresco.service.cmr.repository.NodeRef;
 /**
  * Service to handle AVM locking.
  * 
+ * Note that this service is a low-level service and does no "self-permissioning"
+ * e.g. checking ownership of locks.
+ * 
  * @author Derek Hulley, janv
  */
 public interface AVMLockingService