The Right Honourable Lord Justice Singh has been appointed president of the independent body that hears complaints against surveillance by the intelligence services, HM Courts and Tribunals Judiciary announced today. He will succeed Sir Michael Burton as president of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal on 27 September.  

Lord Justice Singh (Sir Rabinder Singh QC) will continue to sit in the Court of Appeal.

The tribunal, set up in 2000 under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act to hear complaints about surveillance by the intelligence agencies, is gaining a higher profile amid challenges to bulk interceptions of communication data by state agencies. It is today hearing a case involving revelations that GCHQ, MI5 and MI6 collected data relating to privacy pressure group Privacy International.

Announcing the appointment, the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Burnett of Maldon, said: ’The appointment of a lord justice of appeal as president of the tribunal ensures that the tribunal is headed by a senior judge of equivalent status to the investigatory powers commissioner. Lord Justice Singh brings a wealth of experience in the judiciary and expertise in public law which will be crucial to the tribunal’s vital role in hearing complaints concerning the use of investigatory powers.’