- Latest available (Revised)
- Original (As enacted)
Investigatory Powers Act 2016
You are here:
What Version
Advanced Features
- Show Geographical Extent(e.g. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland)
- Show Timeline of Changes
Opening Options
Changes over time for: Part 1
Changes to legislation:
Investigatory Powers Act 2016, Part 1 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 11 January 2025. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes to Legislation
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Changes and effects yet to be applied to Schedule 4 Part 1:
- s. 90(4)-(4B) substituted for s. 90(4) by 2024 c. 9 s. 18(2)(a)
- s. 90(5A) inserted by 2024 c. 9 s. 18(2)(c)
- s. 90(9A)(9B) inserted by 2024 c. 9 s. 18(2)(d)
- s. 90(11A) inserted by 2024 c. 9 s. 18(2)(f)
- s. 90(14)-(16) inserted by 2024 c. 9 s. 18(2)(g)
- s. 257(3)-(3B) substituted for s. 257(3) by 2024 c. 9 s. 18(5)(a)
- s. 257(4A) inserted by 2024 c. 9 s. 18(5)(c)
- s. 257(8A)(8B) inserted by 2024 c. 9 s. 18(5)(d)
- s. 257(10A) inserted by 2024 c. 9 s. 18(5)(f)
- s. 257(13)-(15) inserted by 2024 c. 9 s. 18(5)(g)
- s. 258A 258B inserted by 2024 c. 9 s. 21(2)
- s. 267(3)(ja) inserted by 2024 c. 9 s. 21(3)(b)
Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
- s. 90(4)-(4B) substituted for s. 90(4) by 2024 c. 9 s. 18(2)(a)
- s. 90(5A) inserted by 2024 c. 9 s. 18(2)(c)
- s. 90(9A)(9B) inserted by 2024 c. 9 s. 18(2)(d)
- s. 90(11A) inserted by 2024 c. 9 s. 18(2)(f)
- s. 90(14)-(16) inserted by 2024 c. 9 s. 18(2)(g)
- s. 257(3)-(3B) substituted for s. 257(3) by 2024 c. 9 s. 18(5)(a)
- s. 257(4A) inserted by 2024 c. 9 s. 18(5)(c)
- s. 257(8A)(8B) inserted by 2024 c. 9 s. 18(5)(d)
- s. 257(10A) inserted by 2024 c. 9 s. 18(5)(f)
- s. 257(13)-(15) inserted by 2024 c. 9 s. 18(5)(g)
- s. 258A 258B inserted by 2024 c. 9 s. 21(2)
- s. 267(3)(ja) inserted by 2024 c. 9 s. 21(3)(b)
Part 1U.K.Table of authorities and officers etc.
Commencement Information
I1Sch. 4 Pt. 1 in force at 5.2.2019 by S.I. 2019/174, reg. 2(m)
Table
[F1(1) Relevant public authority | (2) Paragraphs of section 60A(7) specified | (3) DSO: minimum office, rank or position | (4) Type of communications data that may be obtained by DSO | (5) Paragraphs of section 61(7) specified for DSO | (6) Paragraphs of section 61A(7) specified for DSO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Police force maintained under section 2 of the Police Act 1996 | 60A(7)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (g) | Inspector | Entity data | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a), (b), (c) and (e) |
| Superintendent | All | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a), (b), (c) and (e) | ||
| Metropolitan police force | 60A(7)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (g) | Inspector | Entity data | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a), (b), (c) and (e) |
| Superintendent | All | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a), (b), (c) and (e) | ||
| City of London police force | 60A(7)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (g) | Inspector | Entity data | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a), (b), (c) and (e) |
| Superintendent | All | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a), (b), (c) and (e) | ||
| Police Service of Scotland | 60A(7)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (g) | Inspector | Entity data | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a), (b), (c) and (e) |
| Superintendent | All | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a), (b), (c) and (e) | ||
| Police Service of Northern Ireland | 60A(7)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (g) | Inspector | Entity data | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a), (b), (c) and (e) |
| Superintendent | All | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a), (b), (c) and (e) | ||
| British Transport Police Force | 60A(7)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (g) | Inspector | Entity data | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a), (b), (c) and (e) |
| Superintendent | All | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a), (b), (c) and (e) | ||
| [F2Civil Nuclear Constabulary | 60A(7)(a), (b), (c), and (e) | Inspector | Entity data | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a) and (c) |
| Superintendent | All | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a) and (c)] | ||
| Ministry of Defence Police | 60A(7)(a), (b), (c), and (e) | Inspector | Entity data | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a) and (c) |
| Superintendent | All | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a) and (c) | ||
| Royal Navy Police | 60A(7)(a), (b), (c), and (e) | Lieutenant Commander | Entity data | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a) and (c) |
| Commander | All | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a) and (c) | ||
| Royal Military Police | 60A(7)(a), (b), (c), and (e) | Major | Entity data | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a) and (c) |
| Lieutenant Colonel | All | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a) and (c) | ||
| Royal Air Force Police | 60A(7)(a), (b), (c), and (e) | Squadron Leader | Entity data | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a) and (c) |
| Wing Commander | All | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a) and (c) | ||
| [F3Tri-service serious crime unit | 60A(7)(a), (b), (c) and (e) | Lieutenant Commander | Entity data | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a) and (c) |
| Major | Entity data | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a) and (c) | ||
| Squadron leader | Entity data | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a) and (c) | ||
| Commander | All | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a) and (c) | ||
| Lieutenant colonel | All | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a) and (c) | ||
| Wing commander | All | 61(7)(a) and (c) | 61A(7)(a) and (c)] | ||
| Security Service | 60A(7)(a), (b) and (c) | General Duties 4 or any other level 4 officer | Entity data | [F461(7)(a) and (c)] | [F561A(7)(a)] |
| General Duties 3 or any other level 3 officer | All | [F461(7)(a) and (c)] | [F561A(7)(a)] | ||
| Secret Intelligence Service | 60A(7)(a), (b) and (c) | Grade 6 | All | [F461(7)(a) and (c)] | [F561A(7)(a)] |
| GCHQ | 60A(7)(a), (b) and (c) | GC8 | All | [F461(7)(a) and (c)] | [F561A(7)(a)] |
| Ministry of Defence | 60A(7)(a) and (b) | Member of the Senior Civil Service or equivalent | All | 61(7)(a) | |
| Grade 7 in the Fraud Defence Unit | All | 61A(7)(a) | |||
| [F6Department of Health and Social Care] | 60A(7)(b) and (d) | Grade 7 in the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency | All | 61A(7)(a) and (b) | |
| Grade 7 in the Anti-Fraud Unit | All | 61A(7)(a) | |||
| Home Office | 60A(7)(b), (d) and (g) | Immigration inspector or equivalent with responsibility for investigations or other functions relating to immigration and border security | All | 61A(7)(a) | |
| Immigration inspector or equivalent with responsibility for anti-corruption in relation to investigations or other functions relating to immigration and border security | All | 61A(7)(a) | |||
| Immigration inspector or equivalent with responsibility for asylum fraud investigations | All | 61A(7)(a) | |||
| Immigration inspector or equivalent with responsibility for security and intelligence in the immigration detention estate | All | 61A(7)(a), (b) and (e) | |||
| Ministry of Justice | 60A(7)(b) and (d) | Manager in the [F7Security, Order and Counter-Terrorism Directorate of Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service] responsible for intelligence | Entity data | 61A(7)(a) and (b) | |
| Senior manager in the [F7Security, Order and Counter-Terrorism Directorate of Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service] responsible for intelligence | All | 61A(7)(a) and (b) | |||
| National Crime Agency | 60A(7)(b), (e) and (g) | Grade 3 | Entity data | 61A(7)(a), (c) and (e) | |
| Grade 2 | All | 61A(7)(a), (c) and (e) | |||
| Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs | 60A(7)(b) | Higher officer | Entity data | 61A(7)(a) | |
| Senior officer | All | 61A(7)(a) | |||
| Department for Transport | 60A(7)(b), (d) and (e) | Enforcement Officer in Maritime and Coastguard Agency | Entity data | 61A(7)(a) and (b) | |
| Head of Enforcement in Maritime and Coastguard Agency | All | 61A(7)(a) and (b) | |||
| Maritime Operations Commander (Grade 7) in the Maritime and Coastguard Agency | All | 61A(7)(c) | |||
| Principal Inspector in the [F8Air Accidents] Investigation Branch, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch or the Rail Accident Investigation Branch | All | 61A(7)(b) | |||
| Department for Work and Pensions | 60A(7)(b) | Senior Executive Officer in [F9the Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt Directorate] | All | 61A(7)(a) | |
| Senior Executive Officer in the Child Maintenance Group Central Legal Services | All | 61A(7)(a) | |||
| An ambulance trust in England | 60A(7)(e) | Duty Manager of Ambulance Trust Control Rooms | All | 61A(7)(c) | |
| Common Services Agency for the Scottish Health Service | 60A(7)(b) | Head of Counter Fraud Services | All | 61A(7)(a) | |
| Competition and Markets Authority | 60A(7)(b) | Member of the Senior Civil Service with responsibility for cartels or criminal enforcement | All | 61A(7)(a) | |
| Criminal Cases Review Commission | 60A(7)(f) | Investigations Adviser | All | 61A(7)(d) | |
| Department for Communities in Northern Ireland | 60A(7)(b) | Deputy Principal | All | 61A(7)(a) | |
| Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland | 60A(7)(b) | Deputy chief inspector in trading standards services | All | 61A(7)(a) | |
| Department of Justice in Northern Ireland | 60A(7)(b), (d) and (g) | Governor 4 in the Northern Ireland Prison Service | All | 61A(7)(a), (b) and (e) | |
| [F10Environment Agency | 60A(7)(b) and (d) | Area Management Team Member or equivalent (Grade 7) or Senior Enforcement Technical Advisor or equivalent (Grade 6) | All | 61A(7)(a) and (b)] | |
| Financial Conduct Authority | 60A(7)(b) | Head of department in the Enforcement and Market Oversight Division | All | 61A(7)(a) | |
| F11. . . | F11. . . | F11. . . | F11. . . | F11. . . | |
| Food Standards Agency | 60A(7)(b) | Grade 6 | All | 61A(7)(a) | |
| Food Standards Scotland | 60A(7)(b) | Head of the Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit | All | 61A(7)(a) | |
| Gambling Commission | 60A(7)(b) | Senior manager | All | 61A(7)(a) | |
| Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority | 60A(7)(b) | Head of operations | All | 61A(7)(a) | |
| Health and Safety Executive | 60A(7)(b) and (d) | Band 1 inspector | All | 61A(7)(a) and (b) | |
| Independent Office for Police Conduct | 60A(7)(b) and (g) | Director or an equivalent grade | All | 61A(7)(a) and (e) | |
| [F12Service Police Complaints Commissioner | 60A(7)(b) and (g) | Senior investigating officer | All | 61A(7)(a) and (e)] | |
| Information Commissioner | 60A(7)(b) | Group manager | Entity data | 61A(7)(a) | |
| [F13Head of department in an investigation or intelligence role] | All | 61A(7)(a) | |||
| [F14Insolvency Service | 60A(7)(b) | Grade 7 in the Investigation and Enforcement Services Directorate – Criminal Investigation Team | All | 61A(7)(a) | |
| [F15Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office] | 60A(7)(a) | [F16Grade D6 in the UK National Authority for Counter Eavesdropping] | All | 61(7)(a)] | |
| [F17NHS Counter Fraud Authority] | 60A(7)(b) | Senior manager (of pay band 8b) F18... | All | 61A(7)(a) | |
| Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Health and Social Care Trust | 60A(7)(e) | Watch Manager (Control) | All | 61A(7)(c) | |
| F11. . . | F11. . . | F11. . . | F11. . . | F11. . . | |
| Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Regional Business Services Organisation | 60A(7)(b) | Assistant Director Counter Fraud and Probity Services | All | 61A(7)(a) | |
| Office of Communications | 60A(7)(b) | Senior associate | All | 61A(7)(a) | |
| Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland | 60A(7)(b) | Senior investigating officer | All | 61A(7)(a) | |
| [F19Pensions Regulator | 60A(7)(b) | Head of Department in an enforcement or intelligence role | All | 61A(7)(a)] | |
| Police Investigations and Review Commissioner | 60A(7)(b) and (g) | Commissioner or Director of Operations | All | 61A(7)(a) and (e) | |
| Scottish Ambulance Service Board | 60A(7)(e) | Watch Manager (Control) | All | 61A(7)(c) | |
| Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission | 60A(7)(f) | Investigations Adviser | All | 61A(7)(d) | |
| Serious Fraud Office | 60A(7)(b) | Grade 6 | All | 61A(7)(a) | |
| Welsh Ambulance Services National Health Service Trust | 60A(7)(e) | Watch Manager (Control) | All | 61A(7)(c)] |
Textual Amendments
F1Sch. 4 Pt. 1 table substituted (5.2.2019) by The Data Retention and Acquisition Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1123), reg. 1(4)(d)(5), Sch. 1 para. 26 (see S.I. 2019/174, art. 2(c))
F2Words in Sch. 4 Pt. 1 table inserted (25.9.2020) by The Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1037), regs. 1, 2(2)
F3Words in Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table inserted (1.5.2022 for specified purposes, 5.12.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2021 (c. 35), s. 24(1), Sch. 5 para. 47; S.I. 2022/471, reg. 2(e); S.I. 2022/1095, reg. 4
F4Words in Sch. 4 Pt. 1 table substituted (1.1.2023) by The Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1395), regs. 1(1), 2(2)(a)
F5Word in Sch. 4 Pt. 1 table inserted (1.1.2023) by The Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1395), regs. 1(1), 2(2)(b)
F6Words in Sch. 4 Pt. 1 table substituted (25.9.2020) by The Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1037), regs. 1, 2(3)
F7Words in Sch. 4 Pt. 1 table substituted (25.9.2020) by The Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1037), regs. 1, 2(4)
F8Words in Sch. 4 Pt. 1 table substituted (25.9.2020) by The Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1037), regs. 1, 2(5)
F9Words in Sch. 4 Pt. 1 table substituted (22.7.2020) by The Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/661), regs. 1, 2(3)
F10Words in Sch. 4 Pt. 1 table inserted (25.9.2020) by The Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1037), regs. 1, 2(6)
F11Sch. 4 Pt. 1 table entries omitted (22.7.2020) by virtue of The Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/661), regs. 1, 2(2)
F12Words in Sch. 4 Pt. 1 table inserted (1.11.2022 for specified purposes, 19.6.2023 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2021 (c. 35), s. 24(1), Sch. 4 para. 2(6); S.I. 2022/1095, reg. 3; S.I. 2023/621, reg. 2
F13Words in Sch. 4 Pt. 1 table substituted (25.9.2020) by The Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1037), regs. 1, 2(7)
F14Words in Sch. 4 Pt. 1 table inserted (25.9.2020) by The Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1037), regs. 1, 2(8)
F15Words in Sch. 4 Pt. 1 table substituted (1.1.2023) by The Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1395), regs. 1(1), 2(3)(a)
F16Words in Sch. 4 Pt. 1 table substituted (1.1.2023) by The Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1395), regs. 1(1), 2(3)(b)
F17Words in Sch. 4 Pt. 1 table substituted (25.9.2020) by The Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1037), regs. 1, 2(9)(a)
F18Words in Sch. 4 Pt. 1 table omitted (25.9.2020) by virtue of The Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1037), regs. 1, 2(9)(b)
F19Words in Sch. 4 Pt. 1 table inserted (25.9.2020) by The Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1037), regs. 1, 2(10)
Options/Help
Print Options
PrintThe Whole Act
PrintThe Whole Schedule
PrintThis Part only
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?
You have chosen to open the Whole Act without Schedules
The Whole Act without Schedules 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 Schedules only
The Schedules 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?
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.
See additional information alongside the content
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Opening Options
Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once
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.
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
Impact Assessments
Impact Assessments generally accompany all UK Government interventions of a regulatory nature that affect the private sector, civil society organisations and public services. They apply regardless of whether the regulation originates from a domestic or international source and can accompany primary (Acts etc) and secondary legislation (SIs). An Impact Assessment allows those with an interest in the policy area to understand:
- Why the government is proposing to intervene;
- The main options the government is considering, and which one is preferred;
- How and to what extent new policies may impact on them; and,
- The estimated costs and benefits of proposed measures.
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.
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
All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. This site additionally contains content derived from EUR-Lex, reused under the terms of the Commission Decision 2011/833/EU on the reuse of documents from the EU institutions. For more information see the EUR-Lex public statement on re-use.