OpenLegislation

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 in Scotland

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 Unlawful and authorised interception Repealed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 Repealed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. Supplemental
  120. 77Ministerial expenditure etc.
  121. 77AProcedure for order of sheriff under section ... 32A: Scotland
  122. 77BProcedure for order of district judge under section ... 32A: Northern Ireland
  123. 78Orders, regulations and rules.
  124. 79Criminal liability of directors etc.
  125. 80General saving for lawful conduct.
  126. 81General interpretation.
  127. 82Amendments, repeals and savings etc.
  128. 83Short title, commencement and extent.
  129. Schedule A1: MONETARY PENALTY NOTICES IN RELATION TO CERTAIN UNLAWFUL INTERCEPTIONS
  130. Part 1: MONETARY PENALTY NOTICES
  131. General
  132. 1Paragraph 1
  133. Enforcement obligations
  134. 2Paragraph 2
  135. Consultation requirements before service of notices
  136. 3Paragraph 3
  137. Variation or cancellation of notices
  138. 4Paragraph 4
  139. Appeals against notices
  140. 5Paragraph 5
  141. Enforcement of notices
  142. 6Paragraph 6
  143. Guidance
  144. 7Paragraph 7
  145. Interpretation: Part 1
  146. 8Paragraph 8
  147. Part 2: INFORMATION PROVISIONS
  148. Information notices
  149. 9Paragraph 9
  150. Appeals against notices
  151. 10Paragraph 10
  152. Enforcement of notices
  153. 11Paragraph 11
  154. Technical assistance for the Commissioner
  155. 12Paragraph 12
  156. Interpretation: Part 2
  157. 13Paragraph 13
  158. Schedule 1: Relevant Public Authorities
  159. Part A1: Relevant authorities for the purposes of ss. 28, 29 and 29B
  160. A1Police forces etc
  161. A1APolice forces etc
  162. B1Police forces etc
  163. C1Police forces etc
  164. D1The intelligence services
  165. E1The armed forces
  166. F1Revenue and Customs
  167. G1Government departments
  168. H1Government departments
  169. I1Government departments
  170. J1Other bodies
  171. K1Other bodies
  172. L1Other bodies
  173. M1Other bodies
  174. N1Other bodies
  175. Part I: Relevant authorities for the purposes only of ss. 28 and 29
  176. Police forces etc.
  177. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  178. 1AParagraph 1A
  179. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  180. 2AParagraph 2A Repealed
  181. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  182. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  183. 4AParagraph 4A Repealed
  184. 4BParagraph 4B
  185. ...
  186. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  187. ...
  188. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  189. ...
  190. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  191. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  192. Government departments
  193. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  194. 9ZAParagraph 9ZA Repealed
  195. 9ZBParagraph 9ZB Repealed
  196. 9ZCParagraph 9ZC Repealed
  197. 9AParagraph 9A
  198. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  199. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  200. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  201. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  202. 13ZAParagraph 13ZA Repealed
  203. 13AParagraph 13A Repealed
  204. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  205. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  206. 15CParagraph 15C
  207. 15DParagraph 15D
  208. 15EParagraph 15E
  209. The Welsh Assembly Government
  210. 16Paragraph 16
  211. Local authorities
  212. 17Paragraph 17
  213. 17AParagraph 17A
  214. Other bodies
  215. 17BParagraph 17B
  216. 18Paragraph 18 Repealed
  217. 18AParagraph 18A
  218. 19Paragraph 19 Repealed
  219. 19AParagraph 19A
  220. 19BParagraph 19B
  221. 20Paragraph 20 Repealed
  222. 20AParagraph 20A Repealed
  223. 20BParagraph 20B Repealed
  224. 20CParagraph 20C
  225. 20DParagraph 20D Repealed
  226. 20EParagraph 20E Repealed
  227. 20FParagraph 20F
  228. 20GParagraph 20G
  229. 21Paragraph 21 Repealed
  230. 22Paragraph 22 Repealed
  231. 23Paragraph 23 Repealed
  232. 23AParagraph 23A
  233. Northern Ireland authorities
  234. 23AParagraph 23A
  235. 23BParagraph 23B
  236. 23CParagraph 23C
  237. 23DParagraph 23D
  238. 23EParagraph 23E
  239. Part II: Relevant authorities for the purposes only of s. 28
  240. The Health and Safety Executive
  241. 24Paragraph 24 Repealed
  242. NHS bodies in England and Wales
  243. 25Paragraph 25 Repealed
  244. 26Paragraph 26
  245. 27Paragraph 27 Repealed
  246. 27AParagraph 27A Repealed
  247. HM Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills
  248. 27BParagraph 27B
  249. ...
  250. 27CParagraph 27C Repealed
  251. The Information Commission
  252. 27CAParagraph 27CA
  253. . . .
  254. 27DParagraph 27D Repealed
  255. The General Pharmaceutical Council.
  256. 28Paragraph 28
  257. ...
  258. 28AParagraph 28A Repealed
  259. ...
  260. 28BParagraph 28B Repealed
  261. The Department for Work and Pensions
  262. 28CParagraph 28C
  263. . . .
  264. 28DParagraph 28D Repealed
  265. Universal service providers
  266. 28EParagraph 28E
  267. The Natural Resources Body for Wales
  268. 28FParagraph 28F
  269. Northern Ireland authorities
  270. 29Paragraph 29
  271. 30Paragraph 30
  272. 31Paragraph 31
  273. 32Paragraph 32
  274. 33Paragraph 33
  275. 34Paragraph 34
  276. 35Paragraph 35
  277. 36Paragraph 36 Repealed
  278. 37Paragraph 37
  279. 38Paragraph 38
  280. 39Paragraph 39
  281. 40Paragraph 40
  282. Schedule 2: Persons having the appropriate permission
  283. Requirement that appropriate permission is granted by a judge
  284. 1Paragraph 1
  285. Data obtained under warrant etc.
  286. 2Paragraph 2
  287. Data obtained by the intelligence services under statute but without a warrant
  288. 3Paragraph 3
  289. Data obtained under statute by other persons but without a warrant
  290. 4Paragraph 4
  291. Data obtained without the exercise of statutory powers
  292. 5Paragraph 5
  293. General requirements relating to the appropriate permission
  294. 6Paragraph 6
  295. Duration of permission
  296. 7Paragraph 7
  297. Formalities for permissions granted by the Secretary of State
  298. 8Paragraph 8
  299. Schedule 3: The Tribunal
  300. Membership of the Tribunal
  301. 1Paragraph 1
  302. President and Vice-President
  303. 2Paragraph 2
  304. Members of the Tribunal with special responsibilities
  305. 3Paragraph 3
  306. Salaries and expenses
  307. 4Paragraph 4
  308. Officers
  309. 5Paragraph 5
  310. Parliamentary disqualification
  311. 6Paragraph 6
  312. Schedule 4: Consequential amendments
  313. The Post Office Act 1953 (c. 36)
  314. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  315. The Post Office Act 1969 (c. 48)
  316. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  317. The Telecommunications Act 1984 (c. 12)
  318. 3Paragraph 3
  319. The Security Service Act 1989 (c. 5)
  320. 4Paragraph 4
  321. The Official Secrets Act 1989 (c. 6)
  322. 5Paragraph 5
  323. The Intelligence Services Act 1994 (c. 13)
  324. 6Paragraph 6
  325. The Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (c. 25)
  326. 7Paragraph 7
  327. The Police Act 1997 (c. 50)
  328. 8Paragraph 8
  329. The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (c. 47)
  330. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  331. The Electronic Communications Act 2000 (c. 7)
  332. 10Paragraph 10
  333. The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (c. 8)
  334. 11Paragraph 11
  335. The Terrorism Act 2000 (c. 11)
  336. 12Paragraph 12
  337. Schedule 5Repeals