Undercover Policing Inquiry: Timeline

Key dates in the inquiry's progress, assembled from its recorded milestones and hearing phases.

Hearing-phase dates are taken from the published hearing days; some earlier milestone dates are approximate where the inquiry has not published an exact date.

Milestones & hearing phases

Milestone Hearing phase Reports & costs Still to come
12 Mar 2015
Inquiry Announced
Home Secretary Theresa May announced a public inquiry into undercover policing.
28 Jul 2015
Chair Appointed
Lord Justice Pitchford appointed as Chair.
28 Jul 2015
Terms of Reference Set
Inquiry to examine undercover police operations by the SDS and NPOIU.
3 Aug 2017
New Chair Appointed
Sir John Mitting appointed as Chair following Lord Justice Pitchford's death.
18 May 2018 to 14 Jul 2026
Evidential hearings
175 sitting days
29 Jun 2023
Tranche 1 Interim Report
Interim report published on Tranche 1 Phase 1 (1968-1982).
1 Jan 2026
Final Report Expected 2026
The Inquiry aims to publish its final report in 2026.
31 Mar 2026
Costs to date: £137.1m
Cumulative expenditure to end March 2026
To be confirmed
Final report (to be confirmed)
The inquiry has not yet reported.