Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Liability Order and its legality as it is out of time and a matter for the courts.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains that the Council is seeking to obtain payment from her illegally.

Back to top

The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)
3. We have the power to start or end an investigation into a complaint about actions the law allows us to investigate. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we think the issues could reasonably be or have been mentioned as part of the legal proceedings regarding a closely related matter. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 24A(6) and 34B(8), as amended, section 34(B))

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

Back to top

My assessment

6. Ms X says that the Council obtained a Liability Order in 2003 and then withdrew it without replacing it.
7. This part of the complaint is out of time and I see no reason to disapply this rule.
8. She disputes the legality of a Liability Order obtained by the Council in 2025.
9. Any dispute about the legality of a court order is a matter for the courts as only they can make such a determination.

Back to top

Final decision

10. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because it is out of time and a matter for the courts.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman