What we do
Oversight and where we fit in
Oversight regime of investigatory powers in the UK
The Tribunal forms a key part of the multiple layers of executive, judicial and legislative oversight that are the basis of the investigatory powers regime in the UK.
The Investigatory Powers Tribunal provides a right of redress to anyone who believes they have been the victim of unlawful action by a public authority using covert investigative techniques.
The Investigatory Powers Commissioner
The Investigatory Powers Commissioner (IPC) provides independent oversight of the use of investigatory powers, as outlined in the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA). This oversight includes the inspection and authorisation by judicial commissioners of the use of these powers by over 600 public authorities. The IPC is also obliged to make an annual report to the Prime Minister on the use of investigatory powers under the IPA. This report must be published and laid before Parliament.
Relationship between Tribunal and IPC
The Tribunal has powers under section 68 RIPA and section 232 of the IPA to require the IPC to provide assistance to the Tribunal and to furnish the Tribunal with all documents and information as the Tribunal may require for the investigation of a matter or for its determination of a case before it.
The Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament
The Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament is a statutory Committee (ISC) (see Part 1 of the Justice and Security Act 2013) comprising Parliamentarians who have responsibility for the oversight of the expenditure, administration, policy and operations of the intelligence services and other activities of HMG in relation to intelligence or security matters. Oversight of operational matters by the ISC is defined by a memorandum of understanding.
