Part 2Lawful interception of communications

CHAPTER 3Other provisions about interception

Restrictions on use or disclosure of material obtained under warrants etc.

I155Additional safeguards for items subject to legal privilege

1

This section applies where an item subject to legal privilege which has been intercepted in accordance with a targeted interception warrant or mutual assistance warrant is retained, following its examination, for purposes other than the destruction of the item.

2

The person to whom the warrant is addressed must inform the Investigatory Powers Commissioner of the retention of the item as soon as is reasonably practicable.

3

Unless the Investigatory Powers Commissioner considers that subsection (5) applies to the item, the Commissioner must—

a

direct that the item is destroyed, or

b

impose one or more conditions as to the use or retention of that item.

4

If the Investigatory Powers Commissioner considers that subsection (5) applies to the item, the Commissioner may nevertheless impose such conditions under subsection (3)(b) as the Commissioner considers necessary for the purpose of protecting the public interest in the confidentiality of items subject to legal privilege.

5

This subsection applies to an item subject to legal privilege if—

a

the public interest in retaining the item outweighs the public interest in the confidentiality of items subject to legal privilege, and

b

retaining the item is necessary in the interests of national security or for the purpose of preventing death or significant injury.

6

The Investigatory Powers Commissioner—

a

may require an affected party to make representations about how the Commissioner should exercise any function under subsection (3), and

b

must have regard to any such representations made by an affected party (whether or not as a result of a requirement imposed under paragraph (a)).

7

Each of the following is an “affected party” for the purposes of subsection (6)—

a

the person who decided to issue the warrant;

b

the person to whom the warrant is or was addressed.