Today, the Home Secretary has announced the appointment of
Jonathan Hall KC as the government’s new Independent Reviewer of
State Threat Legislation, following a robust open
competition.
It is a new role, brought in as part of the new National Security
Act 2023. The new independent reviewer will assess the fairness,
effectiveness and proportionality of UK state threats
legislation, and report their findings and recommendations.
Jonathan has been Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation
since May 2019. He has been a King’s Counsel since 2013, with
responsibility for various cases, including lead counsel in the
undercover policing inquiry for 3 years, and has been involved in
complex and high profile cases involving fraud, law enforcement,
and national security.
Welcoming the appointment, Home Secretary, , said:
I am pleased to announce that Jonathan Hall KC has been appointed
as Independent Reviewer of State Threats Legislation.
It is the government’s utmost priority to protect the UK’s
national security, the safety of the British public and the UK’s
vital interests from the hostile activities of foreign states.
State threats legislation must therefore be as robust as possible
to deal with individuals who seek to do us harm. I am confident
that Mr Hall’s wealth of experience and legal expertise will help
deliver this.
Jonathan Hall KC said:
I am very pleased to be appointed as the first State Threats
Reviewer. The National Security Act 2023 is a major and
innovative response to state threats.
I look forward to bringing my experience of reviewing terrorism
legislation to bear on this new set of offences and powers.
As part of his role, Mr Hall will provide an important safeguard,
giving evidence to the Parliamentary committees and international
bodies, as well as commenting on domestic and overseas media on
high profile state threats issues through reports and evidence.
He will begin his tenure on 6 February 2024.
