Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (c. 25)
Part 6 — Bulk warrants
Chapter 3 — Bulk equipment interference warrants
(d)
149
Secretary of State considers that the warrant continues to be
necessary, and
that the decision to renew the warrant has been approved by a Judicial
Commissioner.
(3)
“The renewal period” means—
(a) in the case of an urgent warrant which has not been renewed, the
relevant period;
(b) in any other case, the period of 30 days ending with the day at the end
of which the warrant would otherwise cease to have effect.
(4)
The decision to renew a bulk equipment interference warrant must be taken
personally by the Secretary of State, and the instrument renewing the warrant
must be signed by the Secretary of State.
(5)
Section 179 (approval of warrants by Judicial Commissioners) applies in
relation to a decision to renew a bulk equipment interference warrant as it
applies in relation to a decision to issue a bulk equipment interference warrant.
This is subject to subsection (6).
(6)
In the case of a bulk equipment interference warrant which has been modified
so that it no longer authorises or requires the securing of interference with any
equipment or the obtaining of any communications, equipment data or other
information—
(a) the renewal condition in subsection (2)(a) is to be disregarded,
(b) the reference in subsection (2)(c)(ii) to the grounds on which the
Secretary of State considers the warrant to be necessary is to be read as
a reference to any grounds falling within section 178(1)(b) or (2), and
(c) section 179 has effect as if—
(i) paragraph (a) of subsection (1) were omitted, and
(ii) the reference in subsection (1)(c)(ii) to the grounds on which the
Secretary of State considers the warrant to be necessary were a
reference to any grounds falling within section 178(1)(b) or (2).
(7)
In this section—
“the relevant period” has the same meaning as in section 184;
“urgent warrant” is to be read in accordance with subsection (3) of that
section.
186
Modification of warrants
(1)
The provisions of a bulk equipment interference warrant may be modified at
any time by an instrument issued by the person making the modification.
(2)
The modifications which may be made under this section are���
(a) adding, varying or removing any operational purpose specified in the
warrant as a purpose for which any material obtained under the
warrant may be selected for examination, and
(b) adding, varying or removing any description of conduct authorised by
the warrant.
(3)
In this section—
(a) a modification adding or varying any operational purpose, or any
description of conduct, as mentioned in subsection (2) is referred to as
a “major modification”, and