Prime Minister appoints new Judicial Commissioner
Prime Minister appoints new Judicial Commissioner
The Prime Minister has appointed the Hon Sir Tim Kerr as a Judicial Commissioner to support the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, Lord Leveson.
Sir Tim will serve a three-year term from 1 October 2026, joining the existing team of Judicial Commissioners who provide independent oversight of the use of investigatory powers.
Lord Leveson said:
“I am delighted to welcome Sir Tim to IPCO following his retirement from the Bench. His extensive experience across administrative law, employment law and complex regulatory and disciplinary matters will be of enormous value as we continue to ensure investigatory powers are used lawfully, proportionately and with robust independent oversight.”
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: Judicial Commissioners – IPCO
ENDS
For media enquires please contact: Press Line: 0300 427 2730 | 07356 190877
Email: IPCOpressoffice@ipco.org.uk
Notes to Editors
About Sir Tim Kerr: Sir Tim was called to the Bar in 1983, becoming Queen’s Counsel in 2001. His practice encompassed administrative law, employment and sports law, and he developed a particular expertise in arbitration, regulatory disputes, disciplinary proceedings and independent investigations.
He was appointed a Judge of the High Court, Queen’s Bench Division, in 2015. During more than ten years on the Bench, he sat across a broad range of jurisdictions, including the Crown Court (hearing homicide trials), the Administrative Court, the Technology and Construction Court, the Employment Appeal Tribunal, the Planning Court, the Media and Communications List and the Chancery Division.
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, Lord 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