148
(12)
Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (c. 25)
Part 6 — Bulk warrants
Chapter 3 — Bulk equipment interference warrants
In this Chapter, “the specified operational purposes”, in relation to a bulk
equipment interference warrant, means the operational purposes specified in
the warrant in accordance with this section.
Duration, modification and cancellation of warrants
184
Duration of warrants
(1)
A bulk equipment interference warrant ceases to have effect at the end of the
relevant period (see subsection (2)), unless—
(a) it is renewed before the end of that period (see section 185), or
(b) it is cancelled or otherwise ceases to have effect before the end of that
period (see sections 180 and 189).
(2)
In this section, “the relevant period”—
(a) in the case of an urgent warrant (see subsection (3)), means the period
ending with the fifth working day after the day on which the warrant
was issued;
(b) in any other case, means the period of 6 months beginning with—
(i) the day on which the warrant was issued, or
(ii) in the case of a warrant which has been renewed, the day after
the day at the end of which the warrant would have ceased to
have effect if it had not been renewed.
(3)
For the purposes of subsection (2)(a), a warrant is an “urgent warrant” if—
(a) the warrant was issued without the approval of a Judicial
Commissioner, and
(b) the person who decided to issue the warrant considered that there was
an urgent need to issue it.
185
Renewal of warrants
(1)
If the renewal conditions are met, a bulk equipment interference warrant may
be renewed, at any time during the renewal period, by an instrument issued by
the Secretary of State.
This is subject to subsection (6).
(2)
The renewal conditions are—
(a) that the Secretary of State considers that the warrant continues to be
necessary—
(i) in the interests of national security, or
(ii) on that ground and on any other grounds falling within section
178(2),
(b) that the Secretary of State considers that the conduct that would be
authorised by the renewed warrant continues to be proportionate to
what is sought to be achieved by that conduct,
(c) that the Secretary of State considers that—
(i) each of the specified operational purposes (see section 183) is a
purpose for which the examination of material obtained under
the warrant continues to be, or may be, necessary, and
(ii) the examination of such material for each such purpose
continues to be necessary on any of the grounds on which the