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Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (c. 25)
Part 3 — Authorisations for obtaining communications data

(d)

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the size of the relevant public authority concerned is such that it is not
practicable to have a designated senior officer who is not working on
the investigation or operation concerned.

Procedure for authorisations and authorised notices
(1)

An authorisation must specify—
(a) the office, rank or position held by the designated senior officer
granting it,
(b) the matters falling within section 61(7) by reference to which it is
granted,
(c) the conduct that is authorised,
(d) the data or description of data to be obtained, and
(e) the persons or descriptions of persons to whom the data is to be, or may
be, disclosed or how to identify such persons.

(2)

An authorisation which authorises a person to impose requirements by notice
on a telecommunications operator must also specify—
(a) the operator concerned, and
(b) the nature of the requirements that are to be imposed,
but need not specify the other contents of the notice.

(3)

The notice itself—
(a) must specify—
(i) the office, rank or position held by the person giving it,
(ii) the requirements that are being imposed, and
(iii) the telecommunications operator on whom the requirements
are being imposed, and
(b) must be given in writing or (if not in writing) in a manner that produces
a record of its having been given.

(4)

An authorisation must be applied for, and granted, in writing or (if not in
writing) in a manner that produces a record of its having been applied for or
granted.

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Duration and cancellation of authorisations and notices
(1)

An authorisation ceases to have effect at the end of the period of one month
beginning with the date on which it is granted.

(2)

An authorisation may be renewed at any time before the end of that period by
the grant of a further authorisation.

(3)

Subsection (1) has effect in relation to a renewed authorisation as if the period
of one month mentioned in that subsection did not begin until the end of the
period of one month applicable to the authorisation that is current at the time
of the renewal.

(4)

A designated senior officer who has granted an authorisation—
(a) may cancel it at any time, and
(b) must cancel it if the designated senior officer considers that the
requirements of this Part would not be satisfied in relation to granting
an equivalent new authorisation.

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