Lord Boyd of Duncansby

The tribunal, which has UK-wide jurisdiction, provides a right of redress for anyone who believes that they have been a victim of unlawful action by a public authority using covert investigative techniques.

It is also the appropriate forum to consider complaints about any conduct by or on behalf of the UK intelligence community, MI5, SIS and GCHQ, as well as claims alleging the infringement of human rights by those agencies.

Welcoming the appointment, the Lord President, Lord Carloway said: “Lord Boyd will bring considerable experience and expertise to the position.

“During his time in office as Solicitor General for Scotland and then Lord Advocate, he helped to ensure the effective introduction of the European Convention on Human Rights into domestic law in Scotland, and promoted substantial reform of the prosecution service.

“His work as the first instance civil administrative judge has been invaluable. I have no doubt that he will make a significant contribution to the important work carried out by the Tribunal.”

Announcing the five-year appointment today, Tribunal President, Lord Justice Singh, said: “I very much look forward to working with Lord Boyd to ensure that the Tribunal continues to provide an efficient and fair service in this important area of law.”

Lord Boyd has been sitting as a Supreme Courts judge for seven years. He served as Solicitor General for Scotland from 1997 to 2000 and Lord Advocate from 2000 to 2006.

He was called to the bar in 1983 and built up a practice in civil and administrative law specialising in planning law. As Lord Advocate he oversaw major reforms to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and was responsible for the prosecution of the Lockerbie trial.

On his appointment, Lord Boyd said: “I am delighted to have been appointed Vice President of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal.

“This is an area of law which is of growing importance affecting the rights of individuals and the interests of law enforcement and the intelligence services.

“I am looking forward to the challenge and to working with Lord Justice Singh and the other members of the Tribunal.”