Search Legislation

Advanced Search

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000

Changes to legislation:

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 09 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Changes and effects yet to be applied by the editorial team are only applicable when viewing the latest version or prospective version of legislation. They are therefore not accessible when viewing legislation as at a specific point in time. To view the ‘Changes to Legislation’ information for this provision return to the latest version view using the options provided in the ‘What Version’ box above.

  1. Introductory Text

  2. Part I Communications

    1. Chapter I Interception

      1. Unlawful and authorised interception

        1. 1. Unlawful interception.

        2. 2. Meaning and location of “interception” etc.

        3. 3. Lawful interception without an interception warrant.

        4. 4. Power to provide for lawful interception.

        5. 5. Interception with a warrant.

      2. Interception warrants

        1. 6. Application for issue of an interception warrant.

        2. 7. Issue of warrants.

        3. 8. Contents of warrants.

        4. 9. Duration, cancellation and renewal of warrants.

        5. 10. Modification of warrants and certificates.

        6. 11. Implementation of warrants.

      3. Interception capability and costs

        1. 12. Maintenance of interception capability.

        2. 13. Technical Advisory Board.

        3. 14. Grants for interception costs.

      4. Restrictions on use of intercepted material etc.

        1. 15. General safeguards.

        2. 16. Extra safeguards in the case of certificated warrants.

        3. 17. Exclusion of matters from legal proceedings.

        4. 18. Exceptions to section 17.

        5. 19. Offence for unauthorised disclosures.

      5. Interpretation of Chapter I

        1. 20. Interpretation of Chapter I.

    2. Chapter II Acquisition and disclosure of communications data

      1. 21. Lawful acquisition and disclosure of communications data.

      2. 22. Obtaining and disclosing communications data.

      3. 23. Form and duration of authorisations and notices.

      4. 23A.Authorisations requiring judicial approval

      5. 23B.Procedure for judicial approval

      6. 24. Arrangements for payments.

      7. 25. Interpretation of Chapter II.

  3. Part II Surveillance and covert human intelligence sources

    1. Introductory

      1. 26. Conduct to which Part II applies.

    2. Authorisation of surveillance and human intelligence sources

      1. 27. Lawful surveillance etc.

      2. 27A.Section 27: criminal injuries compensation for s. 29B conduct

      3. 28. Authorisation of directed surveillance.

      4. 29. Authorisation of covert human intelligence sources.

      5. 29A.Section 29: supplementary provision in relation to relevant collaborative units

      6. 29B.Covert human intelligence sources: criminal conduct authorisations

      7. 29C.Criminal conduct authorisations: safeguards for juveniles

      8. 29D.Criminal conduct authorisations: safeguards for vulnerable adults

      9. 30. Persons entitled to grant authorisations under ss. 28 , 29 and 29B.

      10. 31. Orders under s. 30 for Northern Ireland.

      11. 32. Authorisation of intrusive surveillance.

    3. Authorisations requiring judicial approval or notification

      1. 32A.Authorisations requiring judicial approval

      2. 32B.Procedure for judicial approval

      3. 32C.Notification of criminal conduct authorisations

    4. Police and Revenue and Customs authorisations

      1. 33.Rules for grant of authorisations.

      2. 33A.Section 33: further provision in cases where NCA is party to collaboration agreement

      3. 34. Grant of authorisations in the senior officer’s absence.

      4. 35. Notification of authorisations for intrusive surveillance.

      5. 36. Approval required for authorisations to take effect.

      6. 37. Quashing of police and Revenue and Customs authorisations etc.

      7. 38. Appeals against decisions by Judicial Commissioners .

      8. 39. Appeals to the Investigatory Powers Commissioner : supplementary.

      9. 40. Information to be provided to Surveillance Commissioners.

    5. Other authorisations

      1. 41. Secretary of State authorisations.

      2. 42. Intelligence services authorisations.

    6. Grant, renewal and duration of authorisations

      1. 43. General rules about grant, renewal and duration.

      2. 44. Special rules for intelligence services authorisations.

      3. 45. Cancellation of authorisations.

    7. Scotland

      1. 46. Restrictions on authorisations extending to Scotland.

    8. Supplemental provision for Part II

      1. 47. Power to extend or modify authorisation provisions.

      2. 48. Interpretation of Part II.

  4. Part III Investigation of electronic data protected by encryption etc.

    1. Power to require disclosure

      1. 49. Notices requiring disclosure.

      2. 50. Effect of notice imposing disclosure requirement.

      3. 51. Cases in which key required.

    2. Contributions to costs

      1. 52. Arrangements for payments for disclosure.

    3. Offences

      1. 53. Failure to comply with a notice.

      2. 54. Tipping-off.

    4. Safeguards

      1. 55. General duties of specified authorities.

    5. Interpretation of Part III

      1. 56. Interpretation of Part III.

  5. Part IV Scrutiny etc. of investigatory powers and of the functions of the intelligence services

    1. Commissioners

      1. 57. Interception of Communications Commissioner.

      2. 58. Co-operation with and reports by s. 57 Commissioner.

      3. 59. Intelligence Services Commissioner.

      4. 59A.Additional functions of the Intelligence Services Commissioner

      5. 60. Co-operation with and reports by s. 59 Commissioner.

      6. 61. Investigatory Powers Commissioner for Northern Ireland.

      7. 62. Additional functions of Chief Surveillance Commissioner.

      8. 63. Assistant Surveillance Commissioners.

      9. 64. Delegation of functions of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner for Northern Ireland.

    2. The Tribunal

      1. 65. The Tribunal.

      2. 66. Orders allocating proceedings to the Tribunal.

      3. 67. Exercise of the Tribunal’s jurisdiction.

      4. 67A.Appeals from the Tribunal

      5. 68. Tribunal procedure.

      6. 69. Tribunal rules.

      7. 70. Abolition of jurisdiction in relation to complaints.

    3. Codes of practice

      1. 71. Issue and revision of codes of practice.

      2. 72. Effect of codes of practice.

  6. Part V Miscellaneous and supplemental

    1. Miscellaneous

      1. 73. Conduct in relation to wireless telegraphy.

      2. 74. Warrants under the Intelligence Services Act 1994.

      3. 75. Authorisations under Part III of the Police Act 1997.

      4. 76. Surveillance etc. operations beginning in Scotland.

      5. 76A.Foreign surveillance operations

    2. Supplemental

      1. 77. Ministerial expenditure etc.

      2. 77A.Procedure for order of sheriff under section ... 32A: Scotland

      3. 77B.Procedure for order of district judge under section ... 32A: Northern Ireland

      4. 78. Orders, regulations and rules.

      5. 79. Criminal liability of directors etc.

      6. 80. General saving for lawful conduct.

      7. 81. General interpretation.

      8. 82. Amendments, repeals and savings etc.

      9. 83. Short title, commencement and extent.

  7. SCHEDULES

    1. SCHEDULE A1

      MONETARY PENALTY NOTICES IN RELATION TO CERTAIN UNLAWFUL INTERCEPTIONS

      1. PART 1 MONETARY PENALTY NOTICES

        1. General

          1. 1.(1) A monetary penalty notice is a notice requiring the...

        2. Enforcement obligations

          1. 2.(1) The Commissioner may include one or more than one...

        3. Consultation requirements before service of notices

          1. 3.(1) The Commissioner must proceed in accordance with sub-paragraphs (2)...

        4. Variation or cancellation of notices

          1. 4.(1) The Commissioner may, subject as follows, vary or cancel...

        5. Appeals against notices

          1. 5.(1) A person on whom a monetary penalty notice is...

        6. Enforcement of notices

          1. 6.(1) Sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) apply in relation to any...

        7. Guidance

          1. 7.(1) The Commissioner must prepare and issue guidance on how...

        8. Interpretation: Part 1

          1. 8.In this Part— “ address ” means— in the case...

      2. PART 2 INFORMATION PROVISIONS

        1. Information notices

          1. 9.(1) The Commissioner may by notice (“an information notice”) request...

        2. Appeals against notices

          1. 10.(1) A person on whom an information notice is served...

        3. Enforcement of notices

          1. 11.(1) The Commissioner may serve a Part 2 monetary penalty...

        4. Technical assistance for the Commissioner

          1. 12.(1) OFCOM must comply with any reasonable request made by...

        5. Interpretation: Part 2

          1. 13.In this Part— “ the Commissioner ” has the meaning...

    2. SCHEDULE 1

      Relevant Public Authorities

      1. PART A1 Relevant authorities for the purposes of ss. 28, 29 and 29B

        1. A1.Police forces etc

        2. B1.The National Crime Agency.

        3. C1.The Serious Fraud Office.

        4. D1.The intelligence services

        5. E1.The armed forces

        6. F1.Revenue and Customs

        7. G1.Government departments

        8. H1.The Home Office.

        9. I1.The Ministry of Justice.

        10. J1.Other bodies

        11. K1.The Environment Agency.

        12. L1.The Financial Conduct Authority.

        13. M1.The Food Standards Agency.

        14. N1.The Gambling Commission.

      2. Part I Relevant authorities for the purposes only of ss. 28 and 29

        1. Police forces etc.

          1. 1.Any police force.

          2. 1A.The Civil Nuclear Constabulary.

          3. 2.The National Crime Agency.

          4. 2A.. . . . . . . . . ....

          5. 3.The National Crime Squad.

          6. 4.The Serious Fraud Office.

          7. 4A.. . . . . . . . . ....

          8. 4B.The force comprising the constables appointed under article 3 of...

        2. ...

          1. 5.Any of the intelligence services.

        3. ...

          1. 6.Any of Her Majesty’s forces.

        4. ...

          1. 7.Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

        5. 8.The Commissioners of Inland Revenue.

        6. Government departments

          1. 9.. . . . . . . . . ....

          2. 9ZA.. . . . . . . . . ....

          3. 9ZB.. . . . . . . . . ....

          4. 9ZC.The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

          5. 9A.The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

          6. 10.. . . . . . . . . ....

          7. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

          8. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

          9. 11.. . . . . . . . . ....

          10. 12.The Department of Health and Social Care .

          11. 13.The Home Office.

          12. 13ZA.The Ministry of Justice

          13. 13A.. . . . . . . . . ....

          14. 14.. . . . . . . . . ....

          15. 15.. . . . . . . . . ....

          16. The Department for Transport.

          17. . . . . . . . . . ....

          18. . . . . . . . . . ....

        7. The Welsh Assembly Government

          1. 16.The Welsh Assembly Government.

        8. Local authorities

          1. 17.Any county council or district council in England, a London...

          2. 17A.Any fire and rescue authority under the Fire and Rescue...

        9. Other bodies

          1. 17B.The Charity Commission.

          2. 18.The Environment Agency.

          3. 18A.The Marine Management Organisation.

          4. 19.The Financial Conduct Authority.

          5. 19A.The Prudential Regulation Authority.

          6. 20.The Food Standards Agency.

          7. 20A.Gambling Commission

          8. 20B.The Competition and Markets Authority.

          9. 20C.The Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.

          10. 20D.. . . . . . . . . ....

          11. 20E.The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority .

          12. 20F.The Care Quality Commission.

          13. 20G.The Health and Safety Executive.

          14. 21.. . . . . . . . . ....

          15. 22.. . . . . . . . . ....

          16. 23.. . . . . . . . . ....

          17. 23A.The Office of Communications.

        10. Northern Ireland authorities

          1. 23A.The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

          2. 23B.The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

          3. 23C.The Department of the Environment.

          4. 23D.Any district council (within the meaning of section 44 of...

          5. 23E.The Department of Justice.

      3. Part II Relevant authorities for the purposes only of s. 28

        1. The Health and Safety Executive

          1. 24. Relevant authorities for the purposes only of s. 28

        2. NHS bodies in England and Wales

          1. 25. Relevant authorities for the purposes only of s. 28

          2. 26.A Special Health Authority established under section 28 of the...

          3. 27. Relevant authorities for the purposes only of s. 28

          4. 27A. Relevant authorities for the purposes only of s. 28

        3. HM Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills

          1. 27B.Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills....

        4. The Information Commissioner

          1. 27C.The Information Commissioner.

        5. . . .

          1. 27D. Relevant authorities for the purposes only of s. 28

        6. The General Pharmaceutical Council.

          1. 28.The General Pharmaceutical Council.

        7. ...

          1. 28A. Relevant authorities for the purposes only of s. 28

        8. ...

          1. 28B.. . . . . . . . . ....

        9. The Department for Work and Pensions

          1. 28C.The Department for Work and Pensions.

        10. . . .

          1. 28D. Relevant authorities for the purposes only of s. 28

        11. Universal service providers

          1. 28E.A universal service provider (within the meaning of Part 3...

        12. The Natural Resources Body for Wales

          1. 28F.The Natural Resources Body for Wales.

        13. Northern Ireland authorities

          1. 29.The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

          2. 30.The Department for Regional Development.

          3. 31.The Department for Social Development.

          4. 32.The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

          5. 33.The Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission.

          6. 34.The Fisheries Conservancy Board for Northern Ireland.

          7. 35.A Health and Social Services trust established under Article 10...

          8. 36.A Health and Social Services Board established under Article 16...

          9. 37.The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland.

          10. 38.The Northern Ireland Central Services Agency for the Health and...

          11. 39.The Fire Authority for Northern Ireland.

          12. 40.The Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

    3. SCHEDULE 2

      Persons having the appropriate permission

      1. Requirement that appropriate permission is granted by a judge

        1. 1.(1) Subject to the following provisions of this Schedule, a...

      2. Data obtained under warrant etc.

        1. 2.(1) This paragraph applies in the case of protected information...

      3. Data obtained by the intelligence services under statute but without a warrant

        1. 3.(1) This paragraph applies in the case of protected information...

      4. Data obtained under statute by other persons but without a warrant

        1. 4.(1) This paragraph applies— (a) in the case of protected...

      5. Data obtained without the exercise of statutory powers

        1. 5.(1) This paragraph applies in the case of protected information...

      6. General requirements relating to the appropriate permission

        1. 6.(1) A person does not have the appropriate permission in...

      7. Duration of permission

        1. 7.(1) A permission granted by any person under any provision...

      8. Formalities for permissions granted by the Secretary of State

        1. 8.A permission for the purposes of any provision of this...

    4. SCHEDULE 3

      The Tribunal

      1. Membership of the Tribunal

        1. 1.(1) A person shall not be appointed as a member...

      2. President and Vice-President

        1. 2.(1) Her Majesty may by Letters Patent appoint as President...

      3. Members of the Tribunal with special responsibilities

        1. 3.(1) The President of the Tribunal shall designate one or...

      4. Salaries and expenses

        1. 4.(1) The Secretary of State shall pay to the members...

      5. Officers

        1. 5.(1) The Secretary of State may, after consultation with the...

      6. Parliamentary disqualification

        1. 6.In Part II of Schedule 1 to the House of...

    5. SCHEDULE 4

      Consequential amendments

      1. The Post Office Act 1953 (c. 36)

        1. 1.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. The Post Office Act 1969 (c. 48)

        1. 2.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. The Telecommunications Act 1984 (c. 12)

        1. 3.In section 45 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 (offence of...

      4. The Security Service Act 1989 (c. 5)

        1. 4.(1) In section 1 of the Security Service Act 1989...

      5. The Official Secrets Act 1989 (c. 6)

        1. 5.In section 4(3)(a) of the Official Secrets Act 1989 (offence...

      6. The Intelligence Services Act 1994 (c. 13)

        1. 6.In section 11 of the Intelligence Services Act 1994 (interpretation),...

      7. The Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (c. 25)

        1. 7.(1) In each of sections 3(7), 7(6), 8(6) and 9(9)...

      8. The Police Act 1997 (c. 50)

        1. 8.(1) In section 91(9) of the Police Act 1997 (staff...

      9. The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (c. 47)

        1. 9.In paragraph 17(b) of Schedule 2 to the Northern Ireland...

      10. The Electronic Communications Act 2000 (c. 7)

        1. 10.In section 4(2) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 (exception...

      11. The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (c. 8)

        1. 11.In section 394(7) of the Financial Services and Markets Act...

      12. The Terrorism Act 2000 (c. 11)

        1. 12.(1) In section 9(2)(d) of the Terrorism Act 2000 (proceedings...

    6. SCHEDULE 5

      Repeals

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open The Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Point in Time: This becomes available after navigating to view revised legislation as it stood at a certain point in time via Advanced Features > Show Timeline of Changes or via a point in time advanced search.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the government department responsible for the subject matter of the Act to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Public Acts except Appropriation, Consolidated Fund, Finance and Consolidation Acts.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources

The data on this page is available in the alternative data formats listed: