Welcome to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal website
The Investigatory Powers Tribunal is an independent judicial body. We provide the right of redress to anyone who believes they have been the victim of unlawful action by a public authority using covert investigative techniques. We also consider complaints about conduct by, or on behalf of, the UK intelligence services: the Security Service (also known as MI5), the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) and Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), or claims that allege those agencies have infringed human rights. We have UK-wide jurisdiction and there are no costs associated with making a complaint to the Tribunal.
Who we are
For information about the Tribunal, its Secretariat, how members are appointed and other details about who we are
What we do
For information about what the Tribunal does and frequently asked questions
Making a complaint
For everything you need to know about making your claim or complaint if:
you believe that your human rights and freedoms, established under the Human Rights Act have been infringed by any of the public authorities under our jurisdiction
Or
you believe you have been the victim of unlawful interference by public authorities using covert techniques
Latest news and judgments
23 July 2026
The Judgment in the case of BBC & Kearney and Moore v PSNI and Others was handed down today.
15 April 2026
The Vice-President of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, Lord Boyd of Duncansby, stepped down on 31 March 2026, after seven years as Vice-President. HM The King has appointed his successor on the advice of the Prime Minister.
The new Vice-President will be Mrs Justice Farbey, who has been a member of the Tribunal since 2023.
Judith Farbey was called to the Bar (Middle Temple) in 1992. She was appointed as a QC in 2011, a Deputy Judge of the Upper Tribunal Administrative Appeals Chamber in 2014, a Recorder in 2016 and a High Court Judge assigned to the Queen’s Bench Division (now the King’s Bench Division) in 2018. From 2019 to 2022, she was the President of the Administrative Appeals Chamber.
Mrs Justice Farbey will take up post as Vice-President on 11 May 2026.
12 December 2025
The Judgment in the case of (1) Mr Vincent Kearney (2) British Broadcasting Corporation V (1) Chief Constable Of The Police Service Of Northern Ireland (2) Chief Constable Of Durham Constabulary (3) Security Service (4) Government Communications Headquarters (5) Secretary Of State For Northern Ireland (6) Secretary Of State For The Home Department (7) Secretary Of State For The Foreign Commonwealth And Development Office (8) Commissioner Of Police Of The Metropolis was handed down today.
27 October 2025
The Judgment in the case of Al-Hawsawi and Al-Nashiri v Security Service, Secret Intelligence Service, Government Communications Headquarters and Ministry of Defence was handed down today.
15 October 2025
The Judgment in the case of AFG and Others v Chief Constable of Dyfed Powys Police was handed down today.