The Prime Minister has appointed Sir James Goss as a Judicial Commissioner to support the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, Sir Brian Leveson, IPCO has announced.
Sir James begins a three‑year term on 2 February 2026, joining the existing panel responsible for independent oversight of the UK’s investigatory powers regime. Sir Nigel Sweeney has also been reappointed for a further three‑year term from 6 February 2026.
Sir Brian Leveson said he was “delighted to welcome Sir James to IPCO following his retirement from the Bench,” noting that his extensive criminal law experience as both barrister and judge would be “of enormous value” in ensuring investigatory powers continue to be used lawfully and proportionately. He also welcomed Sir Nigel Sweeney’s continued service.
Judicial Commissioners are serving or retired senior judges appointed by the Prime Minister following consultation with Scottish Ministers and on the recommendation of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, the Lord Chancellor, the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, the Lord President of the Court of Session and the Lady Chief Justice of Northern Ireland. They authorise and oversee the use of investigatory powers by more than 600 public authorities, including intelligence agencies, police forces, prisons, regulators and local authorities.
Sir James Goss was called to the Bar in 1975 and became King’s Counsel in 1997. His judicial career includes appointments as Recorder, Circuit Judge, Senior Circuit Judge and Recorder of Newcastle, before joining the High Court’s King’s Bench Division in 2014. He served as Presiding Judge of the North Eastern Circuit between 2017 and 2020 and retired from the High Court Bench in January 2026.
The role of Investigatory Powers Commissioner was created in 2017 following the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA) and consolidated the oversight regime into a single role. This consolidation aimed to improve transparency, consistency, and public confidence in the use of investigatory powers.
The new office – IPCO - brought together around 70 staff and all former oversight functions into a single organisation.
Sir Brian Leveson became the Investigatory Powers Commissioner in October 2019 and the IPC now oversees:
- Intelligence agencies (MI5, MI6, GCHQ)
- Police forces
- Prisons
- Local authorities
- Over 600 public authorities with investigatory powers
The Commissioner and Judicial Commissioners:
- Authorise warrants (e.g., interception, equipment interference)
- Audit and inspect public authorities
- Report annually to the Prime Minister
- Ensure compliance with privacy safeguards in the IPA 2016
