Commissioners Office

The Commissioners

Welcome to the Intelligence Commissioners' website.

Both the Interception of Communications Commissioner, The Rt. Hon. Sir Paul Kennedy, and the Intelligence Services Commissioner, The Rt. Hon. Sir Mark Waller, are appointed by the Prime Minister under section 57 and 59 respectively of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA, 2000).

The Commissioners provide independent judicial oversight of the conduct of the Intelligence Agencies (Secret Intelligence Service, Security Service and Government Communications Headquarters) and a number of other public authorities with powers under RIPA and associated legislation such as the Intelligence Services Act (1994).

Sir Paul Kennedy's remit covers the interception of communications (Chapter 1 Part 1 of RIPA) and the acquisition and disclosure of communications data(Chapter 1, Part 2 of RIPA), also known as the 'who, where and when'of a communications event.

Sir Mark Waller is charged with overseeing the broader conduct of the Intelligence Services in relation to the discharge of their functions. His remit is summarised here

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