Part 6

Bulk warrants
CHAPTER 3

Bulk equipment interference warrants

Bulk equipment interference warrants

Approval of warrants issued in urgent cases
180
1
This section applies where—
a
a warrant under section 178 is issued without the approval of a Judicial Commissioner, and
b
the Secretary of State considered that there was an urgent need to issue it.
2
The Secretary of State must inform a Judicial Commissioner that it has been issued.
3
The Judicial Commissioner must, before the end of the relevant period—
a
decide whether to approve the decision to issue the warrant, and
b
notify the Secretary of State of the Judicial Commissioner's decision.
“The relevant period” means the period ending with the third ninth working day after the day on which the warrant was issued.
4
If a Judicial Commissioner refuses to approve the decision to issue a warrant, the warrant—
a
ceases to have effect (unless already cancelled), and
b
may not be renewed,
and section 179(4) does not apply in relation to the refusal to approve the decision.
5
Section 181 contains further provision about what happens if a Judicial Commissioner refuses to approve a decision to issue a warrant.
Word in s. 180(3) substituted (temp.) (27.3.2020) by virtue of The Investigatory Powers (Temporary Judicial Commissioners and Modification of Time Limits) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/360), regs. 1(2), 4(a) (with reg. 5)
S. 180 in force at 27.6.2018 by S.I. 2018/652, reg. 10(b)