Judicial Commissioners reappointed

Six Judicial Commissioners have been reappointed for another three-year term under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA).

Judicial Commissioners work independently and support the Investigatory Powers Commissioner (IPC) in making sure the most intrusive investigatory powers are used legally and in the public interest.

Sir Adrian Fulford, Sir Henry Globe, Sir John Goldring, Sir Nicholas Blake, Dame Linda Dobbs and Sir Alan Wilkie will continue to oversee and authorise the way public bodies use investigatory powers.

The Investigatory Powers Commissioner, Sir Brian Leveson, said:

“I am delighted that the Prime Minister has agreed with the recommendation to reappoint these experienced Judicial Commissioners for another three years.

“Retaining their knowledge and the experience they have gathered since IPCO was set up is vital, particularly in the light of the growing complexities of the work we do.”

Around 600 public bodies can use investigatory powers, including intelligence agencies, police and local authorities. To use the most intrusive powers, an authority must first get permission from a Secretary of State and then from a Judicial Commissioner. Applications for communications data are considered by the Office for Communications Data Authorisations (OCDA), which is overseen by the IPC.

Judicial Commissioners are serving or retired UK senior judges. The IPA sets out that they must hold or have held a high judicial office (within the meaning of Part 3 of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005).

Judicial Commissioners are appointed by the Prime Minister after consulting with Scottish Ministers. The IPC recommends their appointment, as well as the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, the President of the Court of Session and the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland.