Chichester District Council (25 022 378)
Category : Benefits and tax > Council tax
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 18 Feb 2026
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the issue of a Liability Order because there is a legal remedy.
The complaint
- Mr X complains that the Council has not obtained a legal Liability Order to enforce Council tax arrears.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- 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))
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by the complainant.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Mr X says that a Liability Order was obtained illegally and in the wrong name.
- The Council says the Liability Order was obtained legally and is binding.
- The Ombudsman cannot determine legal disputes. Any dispute about the legality of a Liability Order could be appealed to a higher court. I see no reason why such an appeal could not have been made and so the complaint is out of jurisdiction.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is a legal remedy.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman