Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Interception definition

What does Interception mean? Interception describes obtaining the content of a communication by acting on a telecommunication system so that the message is made available to someone other than the sender or intended recipient. In the UK, the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 defines interception: a person intercepts a communication in the course of its transmission if, and only if, they do a relevant act in relation to the system and the effect is to make any content available, at a relevant time, to a non-sender/non-recipient. A relevant act includes modifying or monitoring the system or its transmissions; a relevant time includes while...

RIPA 2000 (UK) after the Investigatory Powers Act 2016: CHIS, covert surveillance and encryption key disclosure powers

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Practice notes

The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA 2016) now provides the core legal structure for the use of covert surveillance by public bodies. Before this, the field was governed mostly—though not wholly—by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA 2000). The RIPA 2000 provisions on intercepting and acquiring Communications data have been repealed and replaced by IPA 2016. However, the regimes for direct surveillance, covert human intelligence sources (CHIS), and obtaining electronic data protected by encryption continue to be governed by RIPA 2000. For guidance on Interception and the acquisition of communications under IPA 2016, see the following Practice Notes:

The regulation of intelligence gathering—an introductory guide
Acquisition, Retention and disclosure of communications data under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016
Interception of communications under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016
Equipment interference under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016
Scrutiny of intelligence gathering and the role of commissioners under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016

Covert human intelligence sources

The RIPA 2000 provisions concerning the authorisation and use of CHIS survive the implementation of IPA 2016 and therefore remain the applicable legal framework for this form of surveillance...

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Richard Hanstock

Cornerstone Barristers

Richard is a public law barrister who enjoys applying the law to build and maintain sustainable communities. He advises and represents a wide range of public authorities, including local councils, government departments and police forces, as well as private individuals, companies and interest groups. Having volunteered as a police officer for 13 years, Richard is well-equipped to provide highly practical and realistic advice alongside robust and persuasive advocacy inside and outside court. He has extensive experience of managing anti-social behaviour, disorder within licensed premises and persistent breaches of planning control, supporting clients to navigate challenging legal landscapes to achieve a just outcome for communities, businesses and individuals. Richard is a deep specialist in the regulation of investigatory powers, including confiscation proceedings and police law. He is an expert in computer misuse and cyber security, building on his academic research on denial of service attacks at the...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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