Regulation of intelligence gathering

A range of statutory obligations regulate the acquisition, retention, examination and dissemination of private material by public authorities for intelligence purposes. These include:

•
Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA 2016)
•
Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA 2000)
•
Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA 1998)
•
Intelligence Services Act 1994 (ISA 1994)
•
Security Service Act 1989 (SSA 1989)
•
Computer Misuse Act 1990 (CMA 1990)
•
Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (WTA 2006)
•
Investigatory Powers (Interception by Businesses etc. for Monitoring and Record-keeping Purposes) Regulations 2018, SI 2018/356

The purpose of IPA 2016 is to set out 'the extent to which certain investigatory powers may be used to interfere with privacy'.

IPA 2016 does not provide a statutory definition of ‘investigatory powers’, and there is no such definition in previous legislation. For practical purposes, however, the term ‘investigatory powers’ is generally taken to be equivalent to ‘surveillance powers’, with particular emphasis on surveillance that is covert (ie unknown

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

TAKE A FREE TRIAL

Latest Corporate Crime News

Insolvency Service’s new Investigations and Enforcement Strategy

Corporate Crime analysis: On 16 July 2025, the Insolvency Service launched its Investigation and Enforcement Strategy 2026 to 2031 (‘the Strategy’). The agency’s self-proclaimed ‘ambitious’ five-year strategy aims to tackle economic crime and improve corporate standards. Mohamed Naleemudeen and John Binns of BCL Solicitors LLP explain how the Strategy emphasises the Insolvency Service’s role as a prosecuting agency, its increasing focus on enforcement and its capabilities to tackle economic crime facilitated though companies and by directors.

A New Era for Corporate Criminal Liability—Strategic Insights from the Updated Joint SFO-CPS Corporate Prosecution Guidance

Corporate Crime analysis: In August 2025, the SFO and CPS published their updated Joint Corporate Prosecution Guidance, reflecting the expanded corporate criminal liability provisions created by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA 2023). Rachel Cook, senior solicitor at Peters & Peters considers the importance of this update and explains how it equips prosecutors for the failure to prevent fraud offence, signals a firm deterrent message to corporates and how it is both a roadmap for prosecutors and a manual for defence lawyers advising on corporate criminal liability.

OFSI revokes general licence for Evraz North American subsidiaries

The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has revoked General Licence INT/2022/1710676. Originally issued on 29 April 2022 under Regulation 64 of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, SI 2019/855, the licence had permitted the continuation of business operations for Evraz plc’s North American subsidiaries.

Home Office publishes first Economic Crime Plan 2 outcomes progress report

The Home Office has published its first progress report on the Economic Crime Plan 2 (ECP2), covering England and Wales. The report highlights collaboration between the public and private sectors to combat economic crime, protect national security, and support legitimate growth. It focuses on the outcomes framework developed under ECP2, sharing insights from key indicators used to track system performance. While the data shows some progress and strategic understanding, the report notes challenges in assessing overall impact due to data limitations. It also outlines efforts to improve data quality and coverage to better measure performance across the economic crime system.

View Corporate Crime by content type :

News