Recommendation 40

The judicial approval of warrants is a necessary safeguard against unjustified interference with private and family life (Article 8). Extending the period of time before judicial approval of an urgent warrant is required could prolong any unjustified interferences with Article 8. As part of the review process, the Government should provide to Parliament data on how many urgent warrants have been used during the emergency period, and the timeframe within which judicial approval was obtained. The Government should also inform Parliament whether the Investigatory Powers Commissioner has made a request that the Secretary of State vary the time allowed for urgent warrants, and the outcome of this request.