Police Act 1997

104 Appeals by authorising officers. U.K.

(1) An authorising officer who gives an authorisation, or in whose absence it is given, may, within the prescribed period, appeal to the [F1 Investigatory Powers Commissioner (except where the original decision was made by that Commissioner)] against—

(a) any refusal to approve the authorisation or any renewal of it under section 97;

(b) any decision to quash the authorisation, or any renewal of it, under subsection (1) of section 103;

(c) any decision to quash the authorisation, or any renewal of it, under subsection (2) of that section;

(d) any decision to cancel the authorisation under subsection (4) of that section;

(e) any decision to order the destruction of records under subsection (5) of that section;

(f) any refusal to make an order under subsection (6) of that section;

F2 (g) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) In subsection (1), “the prescribed period” means the period of seven days beginning with the day on which the refusal, decision or, as the case may be, determination appealed against is reported to the authorising officer.

(3) In determining an appeal within subsection (1)(a), the [F3 Investigatory Powers Commissioner] shall, if he is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing the matters specified in section 93(2), allow the appeal and direct [F4 the Judicial Commissioner concerned] to approve the authorisation or renewal under that section.

(4) In determining—

(a) an appeal within subsection (1)(b), F5 . . .

(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

the [F3 Investigatory Powers Commissioner] shall allow the appeal unless he is satisfied that, at the time the authorisation was given or, as the case may be, renewed there were no reasonable grounds for believing the matters specified in section 93(2).

(5) In determining—

(a) an appeal within subsection (1)(c), F5 . . .

(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

the [F3 Investigatory Powers Commissioner] shall allow the appeal unless he is satisfied as mentioned in section 103(2).

(6) In determining—

(a) an appeal within subsection (1)(d) or (e), F5 . . .

(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

the [F3 Investigatory Powers Commissioner] shall allow the appeal unless he is satisfied that at the time to which the decision relates there were no reasonable grounds for believing the matters specified in section 93(2).

(7) In determining an appeal within subsection (1)(f), the [F3 Investigatory Powers Commissioner] shall allow the appeal and order that the authorisation shall be effective to the extent mentioned in section 103(6), for such period as he shall specify, if he is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for making such an order.

(8) Where an appeal is allowed under this section, the [F3 Investigatory Powers Commissioner] shall—

(a) in the case of an appeal within subsection (1)(b) or (c), also quash any order made by [F6 the Judicial Commissioner concerned] to destroy records relating to information obtained by virtue of the authorisation concerned, F7 . . .

(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 104(1) substituted (1.9.2017) by Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (c. 25), ss. 233(2)(e), 272(1) (with Sch. 9 paras. 7, 8, 10); S.I. 2017/859, reg. 2(e)

F2 S. 104(1)(g) repealed (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 82(2), Sch. 5 (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F3 Words in s. 104(3)-(8) substituted (1.9.2017) by Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (c. 25), ss. 233(2)(a), 272(1) (with Sch. 9 paras. 7, 8, 10); S.I. 2017/859, reg. 2(e)

F4 Words in s. 104(3) substituted (1.9.2017) by Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (c. 25), ss. 233(2)(f), 272(1) (with Sch. 9 paras. 7, 8, 10); S.I. 2017/859, reg. 2(e)

F5 S. 104(4)(b)(5)(b)(6)(b) and the word “or” immediately preceding them repealed (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 82(2), Sch. 5 (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F6 Words in s. 104(8)(a) substituted (1.9.2017) by Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (c. 25), ss. 233(2)(f), 272(1) (with Sch. 9 paras. 7, 8, 10); S.I. 2017/859, reg. 2(e)

F7 S. 104(8)(b) and the word “and” immediately preceding it repealed (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 82(2), Sch. 5 (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 104 excluded (26.9.2018) by Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (c. 25), s. 272(1), Sch. 8 para. 24(1)(d) (with Sch. 9 paras. 7, 8, 10); S.I. 2018/940, reg. 3(g)(ii)