The Investigatory Powers Tribunal

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

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

27 October 2023

The Decision in the case of Abd Abd Al-Rahim Al-Nashiri v (1) Security Service (2) Secret Intelligence Service (3) Government Communications Headquarters (4) Ministry of Defence was handed down today, 27 October 2023 and can be found here.

22 September 2023

The Judgment in the case of Christine Lee & Daniel Wilkes v Security Service was handed down to today.

7 August 2023

His Majesty the King has appointed Mrs Justice Farbey and Mr Justice Johnson as Judicial Members of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), with effect from 7 August 2023. The appointment will be for a five-year term, which may be subject to renewal.  Lord Justice Singh, the President of the IPT, congratulates Mrs Justice Farbey and Mr Justice Johnson on their appointment and wishes them well in their new roles.

18 July 2023

The Judgment in the case of Z3 v (1) Secretary Of State For The Home Department (2) Security Service (3) HM Prison and Probation Service (4) Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police