Court of Appeal judge appointed as first Investigatory Powers Commissioner

A Court of Appeal judge has been appointed by the Prime Minister as the first Investigatory Powers Commissioner.

Lord Justice Fulford will take up the appointment with immediate effect, but will remain a judge of the Court of Appeal. He will serve a three-year term.

The role of the Commissioner under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 is to authorise and oversee the use of investigatory powers by public authorities.

Lord Justice Fulford will now begin work on establishing his office, and will take on the statutory functions of the IPC in due course, Number 10 said.

Prime Minister Theresa May said: “Lord Justice Fulford brings a wealth of experience in the judiciary and expertise in matters of law which will be crucial to his vital role scrutinising the use of investigatory powers, as part of a world-leading oversight regime.”

From 1 January 2016 Lord Justice Fulford has been the Senior Presiding Judge. He is currently the Judge in Charge of IT and leads for the judiciary on HM Courts & Tribunals Service reform.