Part 6: Bulk warrants Chapter 3: Bulk equipment interference warrants Section 186: Modification of warrants
This section sets out the modifications which may be made to a bulk equipment interference warrant. There are two types of modification that may be made to a bulk equipment interference warrant: minor and major modifications.
	A major modification is a modification to add or vary an operational purpose or a description of conduct, accordingly, any element of the warrant may be modified. Major modifications follow the same authorisation process as a new warrant application, they must be made by the Secretary of State and, unless urgent, have effect only if the decision to make the modification is approved by a Judicial Commissioner. Where it is not reasonably practicable for an instrument making a major modification to be signed by the Secretary of State, the instrument making the modification can be signed by a senior official designated by the Secretary of State to do so. The modification must still be personally authorised by the Secretary of State. Such a modification is not an urgent modification and must still be approved by a Judicial Commissioner before taking effect.
	A minor modification is one which removes an operational purpose or any description of conduct from a bulk equipment interference warrant. Minor modifications may be made by the Secretary of State or a senior official acting on their behalf and do not require approval from a Judicial Commissioner. If a minor modification is made by a senior official the Secretary of State must be personally notified of the modification and the reasons for making it.
	Subsection (9) places an obligation on the Secretary of State, or senior official acting on their behalf, to remove an operational purpose where it is no longer necessary.
	Subsection (13) provides that elements of a bulk equipment interference warrant may be modified so as to effectively cancel the ability to continue to acquire material under the warrant, whilst maintaining the ability to examine material already acquired under the warrant.