OpenLegislation

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000

2000 c. 23 · Enacted 28 July 2000 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 5 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 30 September 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 30(6A)-(6D)insertedTax Collection and Management (Wales) Act 2016 s. 187(2)(b)
Sch. 1 para. 16A and cross-headinginsertedTax Collection and Management (Wales) Act 2016 s. 187(3)
s. 30(6)words insertedTax Collection and Management (Wales) Act 2016 s. 187(2)(a)
Sch. 2 para. 1(1)(a)words insertedCourts Act 2003 Sch. 4 para. 12
Sch. 1 Pt. 1 para. 20HinsertedEnergy Act 2013 Sch. 12 para. 74

An Act to make provision for and about the interception of communications, the acquisition and disclosure of data relating to communications, the carrying out of surveillance, the use of covert human intelligence sources and the acquisition of the means by which electronic data protected by encryption or passwords may be decrypted or accessed; to provide for Commissioners and a tribunal with functions and jurisdiction in relation to those matters, to entries on and interferences with property or with wireless telegraphy and to the carrying out of their functions by the Security Service, the Secret Intelligence Service and the Government Communications Headquarters; and for connected purposes.

[28th July 2000]

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—C1C2C3

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act power to apply (with modifications) conferred (temp.) (25.3.2020) by Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), ss. 22(4), 87(1) (with ss. 22(7), 88-90) (and which affecting provision expires (25.3.2022) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 89 (with s. 90))

C2

Act modified (temp.) (25.3.2020) by Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), ss. 22(6), 87(1) (with ss. 22(7), 88-90) (and which affecting provision expires (25.3.2022) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 89 (with s. 90))

C3

Act expiry of earlier affecting provision 2020 c. 7, s. 22 (25.3.2022) by Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 89 (with s. 90)

Contents

  1. Part I: Communications
  2. Chapter I: Interception
  3. Unlawful and authorised interception Repealed
  4. 1Unlawful interception. Repealed
  5. 2Meaning and location of “interception” Repealed
  6. 3Lawful interception without an interception warrant. Repealed
  7. 4Power to provide for lawful interception. Repealed
  8. 5Interception with a warrant. Repealed
  9. Interception warrants Repealed
  10. 6Application for issue of an interception warrant. Repealed
  11. 7Issue of warrants. Repealed
  12. 8Contents of warrants. Repealed
  13. 9Duration, cancellation and renewal of warrants. Repealed
  14. 10Modification of warrants and certificates. Repealed
  15. 11Implementation of warrants. Repealed
  16. Interception capability and costs Repealed
  17. 12Maintenance of interception capability. Repealed
  18. 13Technical Advisory Board. Repealed
  19. 14Grants for interception costs. Repealed
  20. Restrictions on use of intercepted material etc. Repealed
  21. 15General safeguards. Repealed
  22. 16Extra safeguards in the case of certificated warrants. Repealed
  23. 17Exclusion of matters from legal proceedings. Repealed
  24. 18Exceptions to section 17. Repealed
  25. 19Offence for unauthorised disclosures. Repealed
  26. Interpretation of Chapter I Repealed
  27. 20Interpretation of Chapter I. Repealed
  28. Chapter II: Acquisition and disclosure of communications data
  29. 21Lawful acquisition and disclosure of communications data. Repealed
  30. 22Obtaining and disclosing communications data. Repealed
  31. 23Form and duration of authorisations and notices. Repealed
  32. 23AAuthorisations requiring judicial approval Repealed
  33. 23BProcedure for judicial approval Repealed
  34. 24Arrangements for payments. Repealed
  35. 25Interpretation of Chapter II. Repealed
  36. Part II: Surveillance and covert human intelligence sources
  37. Introductory
  38. 26Conduct to which Part II applies.
  39. Authorisation of surveillance and human intelligence sources
  40. 27Lawful surveillance etc.
  41. 27ASection 27: criminal injuries compensation for s. 29B conduct
  42. 28Authorisation of directed surveillance.
  43. 29Authorisation of covert human intelligence sources.
  44. 29ASection 29: supplementary provision in relation to relevant collaborative units
  45. 29BCovert human intelligence sources: criminal conduct authorisations
  46. 29CCriminal conduct authorisations: safeguards for juveniles
  47. 29DCriminal conduct authorisations: safeguards for vulnerable adults
  48. 30Persons entitled to grant authorisations under ss. 28 , 29 and 29B.
  49. 31Orders under s. 30 for Northern Ireland.
  50. 32Authorisation of intrusive surveillance.
  51. Authorisations requiring judicial approval or notification
  52. 32AAuthorisations requiring judicial approval
  53. 32BProcedure for judicial approval
  54. 32CNotification of criminal conduct authorisations
  55. Police and Revenue and Customs authorisations
  56. 33Rules for grant of authorisations.
  57. 33ASection 33: further provision in cases where NCA is party to collaboration agreement
  58. 34Grant of authorisations in the senior officer’s absence.
  59. 35Notification of authorisations for intrusive surveillance.
  60. 36Approval required for authorisations to take effect.
  61. 37Quashing of police and Revenue and Customs authorisations etc.
  62. 38Appeals against decisions by Judicial Commissioners .
  63. 39Appeals to the Investigatory Powers Commissioner : supplementary.
  64. 40Information to be provided to Surveillance Commissioners. Repealed
  65. Other authorisations
  66. 41Secretary of State authorisations.
  67. 42Intelligence services authorisations.
  68. Grant, renewal and duration of authorisations
  69. 43General rules about grant, renewal and duration.
  70. 44Special rules for intelligence services authorisations.
  71. 45Cancellation of authorisations.
  72. Scotland
  73. 46Restrictions on authorisations extending to Scotland.
  74. Supplemental provision for Part II
  75. 47Power to extend or modify authorisation provisions.
  76. 48Interpretation of Part II.
  77. Part III: Investigation of electronic data protected by encryption etc.
  78. Power to require disclosure
  79. 49Notices requiring disclosure.
  80. 50Effect of notice imposing disclosure requirement.
  81. 51Cases in which key required.
  82. Contributions to costs
  83. 52Arrangements for payments for disclosure.
  84. Offences
  85. 53Failure to comply with a notice.
  86. 54Tipping-off.
  87. Safeguards
  88. 55General duties of specified authorities.
  89. Interpretation of Part III
  90. 56Interpretation of Part III.
  91. Part IV: Scrutiny etc. of investigatory powers and of the functions of the intelligence services
  92. Commissioners
  93. 57Interception of Communications Commissioner. Repealed
  94. 58Co-operation with and reports by s. 57 Commissioner. Repealed
  95. 59Intelligence Services Commissioner. Repealed
  96. 59AAdditional functions of the Intelligence Services Commissioner Repealed
  97. 60Co-operation with and reports by s. 59 Commissioner. Repealed
  98. 61Investigatory Powers Commissioner for Northern Ireland.
  99. 62Additional functions of Chief Surveillance Commissioner. Repealed
  100. 63Assistant Surveillance Commissioners. Repealed
  101. 64Delegation of functions of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner for Northern Ireland.
  102. The Tribunal
  103. 65The Tribunal.
  104. 66Orders allocating proceedings to the Tribunal. Not yet in force
  105. 67Exercise of the Tribunal’s jurisdiction.
  106. 67AAppeals from the Tribunal
  107. 68Tribunal procedure.
  108. 69Tribunal rules.
  109. 70Abolition of jurisdiction in relation to complaints.
  110. Codes of practice
  111. 71Issue and revision of codes of practice.
  112. 72Effect of codes of practice.
  113. Part V: Miscellaneous and supplemental
  114. Miscellaneous
  115. 73Conduct in relation to wireless telegraphy. Repealed
  116. 74Warrants under the Intelligence Services Act 1994.
  117. 75Authorisations under Part III of the Police Act 1997.
  118. 76Surveillance etc. operations beginning in Scotland.
  119. 76AForeign surveillance operations
  120. Supplemental
  121. 77Ministerial expenditure etc.
  122. 77AProcedure for order of sheriff under section ... 32A: Scotland
  123. 77BProcedure for order of district judge under section ... 32A: Northern Ireland
  124. 78Orders, regulations and rules.
  125. 79Criminal liability of directors etc.
  126. 80General saving for lawful conduct.
  127. 81General interpretation.
  128. 82Amendments, repeals and savings etc.
  129. 83Short title, commencement and extent.
  130. Schedule A1: MONETARY PENALTY NOTICES IN RELATION TO CERTAIN UNLAWFUL INTERCEPTIONS
  131. Part 1: MONETARY PENALTY NOTICES
  132. General
  133. 1Paragraph 1
  134. Enforcement obligations
  135. 2Paragraph 2
  136. Consultation requirements before service of notices
  137. 3Paragraph 3
  138. Variation or cancellation of notices
  139. 4Paragraph 4
  140. Appeals against notices
  141. 5Paragraph 5
  142. Enforcement of notices
  143. 6Paragraph 6
  144. Guidance
  145. 7Paragraph 7
  146. Interpretation: Part 1
  147. 8Paragraph 8
  148. Part 2: INFORMATION PROVISIONS
  149. Information notices
  150. 9Paragraph 9
  151. Appeals against notices
  152. 10Paragraph 10
  153. Enforcement of notices
  154. 11Paragraph 11
  155. Technical assistance for the Commissioner
  156. 12Paragraph 12
  157. Interpretation: Part 2
  158. 13Paragraph 13
  159. Schedule 1: Relevant Public Authorities
  160. Part A1: Relevant authorities for the purposes of ss. 28, 29 and 29B
  161. A1Police forces etc
  162. A1APolice forces etc
  163. B1Police forces etc
  164. C1Police forces etc
  165. D1The intelligence services
  166. E1The armed forces
  167. F1Revenue and Customs
  168. G1Government departments
  169. H1Government departments
  170. I1Government departments
  171. J1Other bodies
  172. K1Other bodies
  173. L1Other bodies
  174. M1Other bodies
  175. N1Other bodies
  176. Part I: Relevant authorities for the purposes only of ss. 28 and 29
  177. Police forces etc.
  178. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  179. 1AParagraph 1A
  180. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  181. 2AParagraph 2A Repealed
  182. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  183. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  184. 4AParagraph 4A Repealed
  185. 4BParagraph 4B
  186. ...
  187. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  188. ...
  189. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  190. ...
  191. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  192. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  193. Government departments
  194. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  195. 9ZAParagraph 9ZA Repealed
  196. 9ZBParagraph 9ZB Repealed
  197. 9ZCParagraph 9ZC Repealed
  198. 9AParagraph 9A
  199. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  200. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  201. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  202. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  203. 13ZAParagraph 13ZA Repealed
  204. 13AParagraph 13A Repealed
  205. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  206. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  207. 15CParagraph 15C
  208. 15DParagraph 15D
  209. 15EParagraph 15E
  210. The Welsh Assembly Government
  211. 16Paragraph 16
  212. Local authorities
  213. 17Paragraph 17
  214. 17AParagraph 17A
  215. Other bodies
  216. 17BParagraph 17B
  217. 18Paragraph 18 Repealed
  218. 18AParagraph 18A
  219. 19Paragraph 19 Repealed
  220. 19AParagraph 19A
  221. 19BParagraph 19B
  222. 20Paragraph 20 Repealed
  223. 20AParagraph 20A Repealed
  224. 20BParagraph 20B Repealed
  225. 20CParagraph 20C
  226. 20DParagraph 20D Repealed
  227. 20EParagraph 20E Repealed
  228. 20FParagraph 20F
  229. 20GParagraph 20G
  230. 21Paragraph 21 Repealed
  231. 22Paragraph 22 Repealed
  232. 23Paragraph 23 Repealed
  233. 23AParagraph 23A
  234. Northern Ireland authorities
  235. 23AParagraph 23A
  236. 23BParagraph 23B
  237. 23CParagraph 23C
  238. 23DParagraph 23D
  239. 23EParagraph 23E
  240. Part II: Relevant authorities for the purposes only of s. 28
  241. The Health and Safety Executive
  242. 24Paragraph 24 Repealed
  243. NHS bodies in England and Wales
  244. 25Paragraph 25 Repealed
  245. 26Paragraph 26
  246. 27Paragraph 27 Repealed
  247. 27AParagraph 27A Repealed
  248. HM Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills
  249. 27BParagraph 27B
  250. ...
  251. 27CParagraph 27C Repealed
  252. The Information Commission
  253. 27CAParagraph 27CA
  254. . . .
  255. 27DParagraph 27D Repealed
  256. The General Pharmaceutical Council.
  257. 28Paragraph 28
  258. ...
  259. 28AParagraph 28A Repealed
  260. ...
  261. 28BParagraph 28B Repealed
  262. The Department for Work and Pensions
  263. 28CParagraph 28C
  264. . . .
  265. 28DParagraph 28D Repealed
  266. Universal service providers
  267. 28EParagraph 28E
  268. The Natural Resources Body for Wales
  269. 28FParagraph 28F
  270. Northern Ireland authorities
  271. 29Paragraph 29
  272. 30Paragraph 30
  273. 31Paragraph 31
  274. 32Paragraph 32
  275. 33Paragraph 33
  276. 34Paragraph 34
  277. 35Paragraph 35
  278. 36Paragraph 36 Repealed
  279. 37Paragraph 37
  280. 38Paragraph 38
  281. 39Paragraph 39
  282. 40Paragraph 40
  283. Schedule 2: Persons having the appropriate permission
  284. Requirement that appropriate permission is granted by a judge
  285. 1Paragraph 1
  286. Data obtained under warrant etc.
  287. 2Paragraph 2
  288. Data obtained by the intelligence services under statute but without a warrant
  289. 3Paragraph 3
  290. Data obtained under statute by other persons but without a warrant
  291. 4Paragraph 4
  292. Data obtained without the exercise of statutory powers
  293. 5Paragraph 5
  294. General requirements relating to the appropriate permission
  295. 6Paragraph 6
  296. Duration of permission
  297. 7Paragraph 7
  298. Formalities for permissions granted by the Secretary of State
  299. 8Paragraph 8
  300. Schedule 3: The Tribunal
  301. Membership of the Tribunal
  302. 1Paragraph 1
  303. President and Vice-President
  304. 2Paragraph 2
  305. Members of the Tribunal with special responsibilities
  306. 3Paragraph 3
  307. Salaries and expenses
  308. 4Paragraph 4
  309. Officers
  310. 5Paragraph 5
  311. Parliamentary disqualification
  312. 6Paragraph 6
  313. Schedule 4: Consequential amendments
  314. The Post Office Act 1953 (c. 36)
  315. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  316. The Post Office Act 1969 (c. 48)
  317. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  318. The Telecommunications Act 1984 (c. 12)
  319. 3Paragraph 3
  320. The Security Service Act 1989 (c. 5)
  321. 4Paragraph 4
  322. The Official Secrets Act 1989 (c. 6)
  323. 5Paragraph 5
  324. The Intelligence Services Act 1994 (c. 13)
  325. 6Paragraph 6
  326. The Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (c. 25)
  327. 7Paragraph 7
  328. The Police Act 1997 (c. 50)
  329. 8Paragraph 8
  330. The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (c. 47)
  331. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  332. The Electronic Communications Act 2000 (c. 7)
  333. 10Paragraph 10
  334. The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (c. 8)
  335. 11Paragraph 11
  336. The Terrorism Act 2000 (c. 11)
  337. 12Paragraph 12
  338. Schedule 5Repeals