Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (c. 25) – Section 235 – Investigation and information powers
Sections
Section 235Investigation and information powers
(1) A Judicial Commissioner may carry out such investigations, inspections and audits as the Commissioner considers appropriate for the purposes of the Commissioner's functions.
(2) Every relevant person must disclose or provide to a Judicial Commissioner all such documents and information as the Commissioner may require for the purposes of the Commissioner's functions.
(3) Every relevant person must provide a Judicial Commissioner with such assistance as the Commissioner may require in carrying out any investigation, inspection or audit for the purposes of the Commissioner's functions.
(4) Assistance under subsection (3) may, in particular, include such access to apparatus, systems or other facilities or services as the Judicial Commissioner concerned may require in carrying out any investigation, inspection or audit for the purposes of the Commissioner's functions.
(5) A public authority may report to the Investigatory Powers Commissioner any refusal by a telecommunications operator or postal operator to comply with any requirements imposed by virtue of this Act.
(6) A public authority, telecommunications operator or postal operator must report to the Investigatory Powers Commissioner any relevant error (within the meaning given by section 231(9)) of which it is aware.
(7) In this section “relevant person” means—
- (a)any person who holds, or has held, an office, rank or position with a public authority,
- (b)any telecommunications operator or postal operator who is, has been or may become subject to a requirement imposed by virtue of this Act,
- (c)
- (d)any person to whom a notice is given under section 49 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.
Annotations
Commencement Information
- I1 S. 235(1)-(4)(7) in force at 13.2.2017 by S.I. 2017/137, reg. 2(j)
- I2 S. 235(5) in force at 1.9.2017 by S.I. 2017/859, reg. 2(g)
- I3 S. 235(6) in force at 27.6.2018 by S.I. 2018/652, reg. 11(d)
https://ipa.digiphile.law/article/article-235.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.