Prime Minister reappoints four IPCO Judicial Commissioners
The Prime Minister has reappointed four Judicial Commissioners to independently oversee and authorise the use of investigatory powers.
Sir Peter Gross, Sir Duncan Ouseley, Sir Michael Supperstone and Lord Anthony Hughes will continue their work at IPCO for another three years.
Judicial Commissioners support the Investigatory Powers Commissioner (IPC) by scrutinising applications from public authorities to use the most intrusive investigatory powers.
The Investigatory Powers Commissioner, Sir Brian Leveson, said:
“I am pleased to confirm the Prime Minister has accepted my recommendation to reappoint Sir Peter Gross, Sir Duncan Ouseley, Sir Michael Supperstone and Lord Hughes as Judicial Commissioners for a further three-year term.
“I am delighted that we will retain their extensive legal expertise and continue to utilise their extensive knowledge of the investigatory powers.
“The rigorous, independent oversight undertaken by our Judicial Commissioners plays an essential role in our work, ensuring the powers are used in accordance with the law and in the public interest.”
Public authorities require authorisation from a Secretary of State or a senior officer to use the most intrusive investigatory powers. Judicial Commissioners must then review this decision, known as the “double lock” process.
IPCO regularly briefs the Commissioners on matters related to their work. They also attend quarterly meetings to discuss intelligence threats, relevant technological or operational change and legal issues.
The Prime Minister appoints Judicial Commissioners after consulting with Scottish Ministers on the recommendations of the IPC, the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, the Lord President of the Court of Session and the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland.
Judicial Commissioners must hold or have held a high judicial office and so they are selected from a pool of serving or retired members of the UK’s senior judiciary.
Our full list of current and former Judicial Commissioners is available here.