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Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Act 2021

Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Act 2021

2021 c. 4

An Act to make provision for, and in connection with, the authorisation of criminal conduct in the course of, or otherwise in connection with, the conduct of covert human intelligence sources.

Enacted[1st March 2021]
Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Criminal conduct authorisations

I1I25I491 Authorisation of criminal conduct

1 Section 26 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (conduct to which Part 2 of that Act applies) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) and (3).
2 In subsection (1)—
a omit the “and” at the end of paragraph (b);
b at the end of paragraph (c) insert
.
3 After subsection (8) insert—
4 In section 29 of that Act (authorisation of covert human intelligence sources), after subsection (6) insert—
5 After section 29A of that Act insert—

I2I26I502 Criminal conduct authorisations: safeguards for juveniles

1 After section 29B of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (inserted by section 1(5)) insert—
2 The Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Juveniles) Order 2000 (S.I. 2000/2793) is amended in accordance with subsections (3) to (8).
3 In article 2 (interpretation)—
a in the definition of “relevant investigating authority”, after “authority”” insert “ , in relation to an authorisation under section 29 of the 2000 Act, ”;
b after that definition insert—
.
4 Before article 3 insert— “ Authorisations under section 29 of the 2000 Act ”.
5 In article 3 (sources under 16: prohibition), after “authorisation” insert “ under section 29 of the 2000 Act ”.
6 In article 5 (sources under 18: risk assessments etc.), after “An authorisation” insert “ under section 29 of the 2000 Act ”.
7 In article 6 (sources under 18: duration of authorisations), after “an authorisation” insert “ under section 29 of the 2000 Act ”.
8 After article 6 insert—
9 The amendments made by subsections (3) to (8) to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Juveniles) Order 2000 (S.I. 2000/2793) are to be treated as having been made under section 29B(4)(c) or (10) or section 43(8) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 as the case may be (and may be amended or revoked under those powers accordingly).

I3I27I513 Criminal conduct authorisations: safeguards for vulnerable adults

After section 29C of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (inserted by section 2) insert—

Authorising authorities

I4I28I524 Authorities to be capable of authorising criminal conduct

1 Section 30 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (persons entitled to grant authorisations under sections 28 and 29 of that Act) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) to (8).
2 In the heading, for “and 29” substitute “ , 29 and 29B ”.
3 In subsection (1), for “and 29” substitute “ , 29 and 29B ”.
4 In subsection (2)(a), for “or 29” substitute “ , 29 or 29B ”.
5 In subsection (3)(a), for “and 29” substitute “ , 29 and 29B ”.
6 In subsection (4)—
a in paragraph (a), for “I or II” substitute “ A1, 1 or 2 ”;
b omit the “and” at the end of paragraph (a);
c in paragraph (b), for “I” substitute “ A1 or 1 ”;
d at the end of paragraph (b) insert
.
7 In subsection (5)—
a in paragraph (a), for “I or II” substitute “ A1, 1 or 2 ”;
b in paragraph (c), for “the other” substitute “ another ”.
8 In subsection (7)—
a in paragraph (a), for “I or II” substitute “ A1, 1 or 2 ”;
b in paragraph (b), for the words from “from” to the end of that paragraph substitute
.
9 In Schedule 1 to that Act (relevant public authorities for the purposes of Part 2 of that Act), before Part 1 (relevant authorities for the purposes of sections 28 and 29 of that Act) insert—

Criminal injuries compensation

I5I29I535 Criminal injuries compensation

After section 27 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (lawful surveillance etc.) insert—

Notification to Judicial Commissioner

I6I30I546 Notification to a Judicial Commissioner

After section 32B of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 insert—

Oversight by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner

I7I31I637 Oversight by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner

1 The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 is amended as follows.
2 In section 229 (main oversight functions), after subsection (4), insert—
3 In section 234 (annual and other reports of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner), in subsection (2), after paragraph (b) insert—
.

General and final provision

I8I32I708 Consequential provision

The Schedule contains consequential amendments.

9 Commencement and transitional provision

1 This section and section 10 come into force on the day on which this Act is passed.
2 The other provisions of this Act come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by regulations appoint; and different days may be appointed for different purposes or areas.
3 The Secretary of State may by regulations make transitional or saving provision in connection with the coming into force of any provision of this Act.
4 The power to make regulations under subsection (3) includes power to make different provision for different purposes or areas.
5 Regulations under this section are to be made by statutory instrument.

10 Extent and short title

1 Subject to subsection (2), this Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
2 Any provision of this Act which amends or repeals an enactment has the same extent as the enactment amended or repealed.
3 This Act may be cited as the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Act 2021.

SCHEDULE 

Consequential amendments

Section 8

PART 1  Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000

Introductory

I9I33I711The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 is amended as follows.

Orders under section 30 for Northern Ireland

I10I34I552In section 31 (orders under section 30 for Northern Ireland), in subsection (1), after “authorisations” insert “ under section 28 or 29 ”.

Granting authorisations

I11I35I563In the heading before section 32A (authorisations requiring judicial approval), after “approval” insert “ or notification ”.
I12I36I574
1 Section 33 (rules for grant of authorisations) is amended as follows.
2 In subsection (1), for “or 29” substitute “ , 29 or 29B ”.
3 In subsection (1ZB), for “or 29” substitute “ , 29 or 29B ”.
4 In subsection (1ZC)(b), for “or 29” substitute “ , 29 or 29B ”.
5 In subsection (1A), for “or 29” substitute “ , 29 or 29B ”.
6 In subsection (2), for “or 29” substitute “ , 29 or 29B ”.
I13I37I585
1 Section 33A (further provision about granting authorisations in cases where the National Crime Agency is party to a collaboration agreement) is amended as follows.
2 In subsection (2), for “or 29” substitute “ , 29 or 29B ”.
3 In subsection (3), for “or 29” substitute “ , 29 or 29B ”.
4 In subsection (4), for “or 29” substitute “ , 29 or 29B ”.

General rules about grant, renewal, duration and cancellation

I14I38I596
1 Section 43 (general rules about grant, renewal and duration) is amended as follows.
2 In subsection (3)(b), after “source” insert “ or is an authorisation under section 29B ”.
3 In subsection (6), after “source” insert “ or an authorisation under section 29B ”.
I15I39I607
1 Section 45 (cancellation of authorisations) is amended as follows.
2 In subsection (1)—
a in paragraph (a), after “29(2)(a) and (b)” insert “ , 29B(4)(a) and (b) ”;
b omit the “or” at the end of that paragraph;
c at the end of paragraph (b) insert—
.
3 In subsection (2), for “either” substitute “ any ”.
4 In subsection (3), for “either” substitute “ any ”.
I16I40I618In section 46 (restrictions on authorisations extending to Scotland)—
a in subsection (2)(d), after “conduct of” insert “ or in relation to ”;
b after subsection (4) insert—

Authorising authorities

I17I41I629
1 Part 1 of Schedule 1 (relevant authorities for the purposes of sections 28 and 29) is amended as follows.
2 In the heading of the Part, after “purposes” insert “ only ”.
3 Omit—
a paragraph 1 (any police force);
b paragraph 2 (National Crime Agency);
c paragraph 4 (Serious Fraud Office);
d paragraph 5 (intelligence services) and the italic heading before it;
e paragraph 6 (armed forces) and the italic heading before it;
f paragraph 7 (Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs) and the italic heading before it;
g paragraph 12 (Department of Health and Social Care);
h paragraph 13 (Home Office);
i paragraph 13ZA (Ministry of Justice);
j paragraph 18 (Environment Agency);
k paragraph 19 (Financial Conduct Authority);
l paragraph 20 (Food Standards Agency);
m paragraph 20A (Gambling Commission);
n paragraph 20B (Competition and Markets Authority).

PART 2  Other enactments

Police Reform Act 2002

I18I42I6410In section 19 of the Police Reform Act 2002 (use of investigatory powers by or on behalf of the Director General), after subsection (4) insert—

Gambling Act 2005

I19I43I6511In Schedule 16 to the Gambling Act 2005 (minor and consequential amendments), omit paragraph 14 and the italic heading before it.

Serious Crime Act 2007

I20I44I6612In Schedule 12 to the Serious Crime Act 2007 (Revenue and Customs: regulation of investigatory powers), omit paragraph 28.

Crime and Courts Act 2013

I21I45I7213The Crime and Courts Act 2013 is amended as follows.
I22I46I6714In Schedule 1 (the National Crime Agency and its officers), in paragraph 6A, after sub-paragraph (3)(a)(ii) insert—
.
I23I47I6815In Schedule 8 (minor and consequential amendments and repeals), omit paragraph 99.

Coronavirus Act 2020

I24I48I6916
1 Sub-paragraph (2) applies to—
a section 22 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 (appointment of temporary Judicial Commissioners),
b regulation 3(1) of the Investigatory Powers (Temporary Judicial Commissioners and Modification of Time Limits) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/360), and
c any appointment which was made under that regulation and has effect immediately before the coming into force of this paragraph.
2 In section 22(1), regulation 3(1) or the appointment, references to functions conferred on Judicial Commissioners by—
a the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000,
b the Investigatory Powers Act 2016,
are to be read as including references to functions conferred on Judicial Commissioners by those Acts by virtue of amendments made by this Act.

Footnotes

  1. I1
    S. 1 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a) (with reg. 3(a))
  2. I2
    S. 2 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  3. I3
    S. 3 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  4. I4
    S. 4 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  5. I5
    S. 5 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  6. I6
    S. 6 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  7. I7
    S. 7 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  8. I8
    S. 8 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  9. I9
    Sch. para. 1 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  10. I10
    Sch. para. 2 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  11. I11
    Sch. para. 3 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  12. I12
    Sch. para. 4 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  13. I13
    Sch. para. 5 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  14. I14
    Sch. para. 6 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  15. I15
    Sch. para. 7 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  16. I16
    Sch. para. 8 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  17. I17
    Sch. para. 9 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  18. I18
    Sch. para. 10 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  19. I19
    Sch. para. 11 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  20. I20
    Sch. para. 12 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  21. I21
    Sch. para. 13 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  22. I22
    Sch. para. 14 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  23. I23
    Sch. para. 15 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  24. I24
    Sch. para. 16 in force at 10.8.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(a)
  25. I25
    S. 1 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b) (with reg. 3(b))
  26. I26
    S. 2 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  27. I27
    S. 3 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  28. I28
    S. 4 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  29. I29
    S. 5 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  30. I30
    S. 6 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  31. I31
    S. 7 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  32. I32
    S. 8 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  33. I33
    Sch. para. 1 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  34. I34
    Sch. para. 2 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  35. I35
    Sch. para. 3 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  36. I36
    Sch. para. 4 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  37. I37
    Sch. para. 5 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  38. I38
    Sch. para. 6 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  39. I39
    Sch. para. 7 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  40. I40
    Sch. para. 8 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  41. I41
    Sch. para. 9 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  42. I42
    Sch. para. 10 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  43. I43
    Sch. para. 11 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  44. I44
    Sch. para. 12 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  45. I45
    Sch. para. 13 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  46. I46
    Sch. para. 14 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  47. I47
    Sch. para. 15 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  48. I48
    Sch. para. 16 in force at 15.9.2021 for specified purposes by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(b)
  49. I49
    S. 1 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c) (with reg. 3(c))
  50. I50
    S. 2 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)
  51. I51
    S. 3 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)
  52. I52
    S. 4 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)
  53. I53
    S. 5 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)
  54. I54
    S. 6 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)
  55. I55
    Sch. para. 2 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)
  56. I56
    Sch. para. 3 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)
  57. I57
    Sch. para. 4 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)
  58. I58
    Sch. para. 5 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)
  59. I59
    Sch. para. 6 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)
  60. I60
    Sch. para. 7 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)
  61. I61
    Sch. para. 8 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)
  62. I62
    Sch. para. 9 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)
  63. I63
    S. 7 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)
  64. I64
    Sch. para. 10 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)
  65. I65
    Sch. para. 11 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)
  66. I66
    Sch. para. 12 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)
  67. I67
    Sch. para. 14 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)
  68. I68
    Sch. para. 15 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)
  69. I69
    Sch. para. 16 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)
  70. I70
    S. 8 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)
  71. I71
    Sch. para. 1 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)
  72. I72
    Sch. para. 13 in force at 30.9.2021 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2021/605, reg. 2(c)