Regulation of intelligence gathering

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis

STOP PRESS: The Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Act 2024 (IP(A)A 2024) received Royal Assent on 25 April 2024. The Act is the first major amendment of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 since it was enacted and seeks to expand the surveillance powers of the UK’s police, intelligence services and government. The Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Act 2024 (Commencement No 1 and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2024, SI 2024/1021 brings certain provisions of the IP(A)A 2024 into force on 14 October 2024. This Overview is in the process of being updated to reflect the changes.

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:

  1. •

    Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA 2016)

  2. •

    Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA 2000)

  3. •

    Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA 1998)

  4. •

    Intelligence Services Act 1994 (ISA 1994)

  5. •

    Security Service Act 1989 (SSA 1989)

  6. •

    Computer Misuse Act 1990 (CMA 1990)

  7. •

    Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (WTA 2006)

  8. •

    Investigatory

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

Existing user? Sign-in TAKE A FREE TRIAL
Powered by Lexis+®
Latest Public Law News

State aid—weekly round-up 30 April 2025

A round-up of key developments on State aid, first reported by the Lexis+ Competition team. This update covers the period 23–29 April 2025.

Unisex is best to avoid toilet trouble after sex ruling

Law360: The best approach for employers after the Supreme Court's seismic ruling on the legal definition of a woman is to make all enclosed single-user washrooms unisex and consult staff for their thoughts on making further facilities gender-neutral, lawyers and experts say.

The 11th Edition of the King’s Bench Guide has been published

Notable updates to the 10th Edition (published April 2024) include:

Court of Appeal issues important guidance on Article 14 ECHR challenges to employment legislation

Employment analysis: On 3 April 2025, the Court of Appeal gave judgment in the case of Sullivan v Isle of Wight Council. Annie Davis, pupil at Old Square Chambers, analyses the decision.

View Public Law by content type :  
News
Practice notes
Precedents
Q&As

Popular documents

Official secrets—protected disclosures

Official secrets—protected disclosuresThe Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA 1998) inserted provisions into the Employment Rights Act 1996 (ERA 1996) protecting workers who make protected disclosures and allows 'whistleblowers' to bring a claim before an employment tribunal for detriment

Official secrets—levels of secrecy

Official secrets—levels of secrecyGovernment security classificationsThe Government Security Classifications policy came into force in April 2014, and was last updated in May 2018. The policy is designed to ensure that information is classified, shared and protected as appropriate. It applies to all

What is the difference between an appeal and a review?

What is the difference between an appeal and a review?What is an appeal?An appeal in insolvency proceedings is no different to an appeal in normal litigation. An appeal will be allowed only if the appeal court is satisfied that the decision of the lower court was 'wrong' or 'unjust because of a

Early leavers—preservation

Early leavers—preservationFORTHCOMING DEVELOPMENT: Section 10 of the Finance Act 2022 will increase the normal minimum pension age (NMPA) from 55 to 57 on 6 April 2028 (save for members of the firefighters, police and armed forces public service pension schemes).The Finance Act 2022 will also give
Official secrets—protected disclosures

Official secrets—protected disclosures

Official secrets—protected disclosuresThe Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA 1998) inserted provisions into the Employment Rights Act 1996 (ERA 1996) protecting workers who make protected disclosures and allows 'whistleblowers' to bring a claim before an employment tribunal for detriment

Official secrets—levels of secrecy

Official secrets—levels of secrecy

Official secrets—levels of secrecyGovernment security classificationsThe Government Security Classifications policy came into force in April 2014, and was last updated in May 2018. The policy is designed to ensure that information is classified, shared and protected as appropriate. It applies to all

What is the difference between an appeal and a review?

What is the difference between an appeal and a review?

What is the difference between an appeal and a review?What is an appeal?An appeal in insolvency proceedings is no different to an appeal in normal litigation. An appeal will be allowed only if the appeal court is satisfied that the decision of the lower court was 'wrong' or 'unjust because of a

Early leavers—preservation

Early leavers—preservation

Early leavers—preservationFORTHCOMING DEVELOPMENT: Section 10 of the Finance Act 2022 will increase the normal minimum pension age (NMPA) from 55 to 57 on 6 April 2028 (save for members of the firefighters, police and armed forces public service pension schemes).The Finance Act 2022 will also give