Section 7 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 (“the 2000 Act”) allows authorisations to be granted for the use or conduct of covert human surveillance sources.

This Order contains special provisions for the cases of covert human intelligence sources who are under 18.

Article 3 provides that no authorisation may be given for the conduct or use of a source where the source is under 16 and the conduct or use would relate to the relationship between the source and their parent or any person who has responsibility for them.

Article 4 makes provision for the presence of an appropriate adult at all meetings between a source under 16 and the representative of the relevant investigating authority.

Article 5 makes provision regarding the need for and scope of risk assessments where the source is under 18.

Article 6 amends, in respect of sources under 18, the period of authorisation in section 19(3)(b) of the 2000 Act from 12 months to 1 month.