Prime Minister appoints new Judicial Commissioner

Prime Minister appoints new Judicial Commissioner

The Prime Minister has appointed Sir James Goss as a Judicial Commissioner to support the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, Sir Brian Leveson.

Sir James will serve a three-year term from 2 February 2026, joining the existing team of Judicial Commissioners who provide independent oversight of the use of investigatory powers.

The Prime Minister has also reappointed Sir Nigel Sweeney for a further three-year term from 6 February 2026.

Sir Brian Leveson said:

“I am delighted to welcome Sir James to IPCO following his retirement from the Bench. His extensive criminal experience, both as a barrister and a judge, will be of enormous value as we continue to ensure investigatory powers are used lawfully, proportionately and with robust independent oversight.

“I am also pleased that Sir Nigel Sweeney will continue in his role as a Judicial Commissioner for a further term.”

A Judicial Commissioner is a serving or retired member of the senior judiciary in the UK. Appointments are made by the Prime Minister, having consulted with Scottish Ministers, on the recommendation of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, the Lord Chancellor, the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, the Lord President of the Court of Session and the Lady Chief Justice of Northern Ireland. Our full list of current and former Judicial Commissioners is available here.

ENDS

For media enquires please contact: Press Line: 0300 427 2730 | 07356 190877 Email: IPCOpressoffice@ipco.org.uk

Notes to Editors

About Sir James Gross: Sir James Goss was called to the Bar (Inner Temple) in 1975, becoming a King’s Counsel in 1997. He was appointed a Recorder in 1994, a Circuit Judge in 2009, a Senior Circuit Judge and the Recorder of Newcastle in 2011 and a High Court Judge in the King’s Bench Division in 2014. He was a Presiding Judge of the North Eastern Circuit between 2017 and 2020. He retired from the High Court Bench in January 2026.

About IPCO: IPCO provides independent oversight of the use of investigatory powers by intelligence agencies, police forces and other public authorities. The Investigatory Powers Commissioner, Sir Brian Leveson, and his Judicial Commissioners are responsible for overseeing the use of investigatory powers by public authorities which include law enforcement, the intelligence agencies, prisons, local authorities and other government agencies (e.g. regulators). In total over 600 public authorities and institutions have investigatory powers. Further information about IPCO is here: www.ipco.org.uk