Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (c. 25) – Section 226GA – Approval of warrants by Judicial Commissioners
Sections
Section 226GA[F1Approval of warrants by Judicial Commissioners
(1) In deciding whether to approve a decision to issue a third party BPD warrant, a Judicial Commissioner must review the Secretary of State’s conclusions as to the following matters—
- (a)whether the warrant is necessary on grounds falling within section 226G(4)(a), and
- (b)whether the conduct that would be authorised by the warrant is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct.
(2) In doing so, the Judicial Commissioner must—
- (a)apply the same principles as would be applied by a court on an application for judicial review, and
- (b)consider the matters referred to in subsection (1) with a sufficient degree of care as to ensure that the Judicial Commissioner complies with the duties imposed by section 2 (general duties in relation to privacy).
(3) Where a Judicial Commissioner refuses to approve a decision to issue a third party BPD warrant, the Judicial Commissioner must give the Secretary of State written reasons for the refusal.
(4) Where a Judicial Commissioner, other than the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, refuses to approve a decision to issue a third party BPD warrant, the Secretary of State may ask the Investigatory Powers Commissioner to decide whether to approve the decision to issue the warrant.]
Amended text
This Section is shown as amended by Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Act 2024 (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 Pt. 7B inserted (14.10.2024 for specified purposes, 25.4.2025 in so far as not already in force) by Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Act 2024 (c. 9), ss. 5, 32(2); S.I. 2024/1021, reg. 2(e); S.I. 2025/501, reg. 2
https://ipa.digiphile.law/article/article-226GA.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.