Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (c. 25) – Section 18 – Persons who may apply for issue of a warrant
Sections
Section 18Persons who may apply for issue of a warrant
(1) Each of the following is an “intercepting authority” for the purposes of this Part—
- (a)a person who is the head of an intelligence service;
- (b)the Director General of the National Crime Agency;
- (c)the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis;
- (d)the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland;
- (e)the chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland;
- (f)the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs;
- (g)the Chief of Defence Intelligence;
- (h)a person who is the competent authority of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom for the purposes of F1... an international mutual assistance agreement.
(2) For the meaning of “head of an intelligence service”, see section 263.
(3) An application for the issue of a warrant under this Chapter may only be made on behalf of an intercepting authority by a person holding office under the Crown.
Amended text
This Section is shown as amended by S.I. 2019/742 (see the annotations below), as incorporated in the text in force on 7 October 2026 as published on legislation.gov.uk.
Annotations
Textual Amendments
- F1 Words in s. 18(1)(h) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Law Enforcement and Security (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/742), regs. 1, 82(4) (with reg. 83); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Commencement Information
- I1 S. 18(1)(a)(g)(2)(3) in force at 31.5.2018 by S.I. 2018/652, reg. 3(d)
- I2 S. 18(1)(b)-(f)(h) in force at 30.8.2018 by S.I. 2018/940, reg. 2(1)(a) (with reg. 2(2))
https://ipa.digiphile.law/article/article-18.html
Text as at 7 October 2026.
This is an unofficial convenience version of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. It is presented “as is” without guarantee of accuracy, completeness or reliability. See the source text for the official version. This site was last updated in October 2026.