Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about reports that the Council provided to the courts. The law prevents us from investigating anything that has been subject to court proceedings.

The complaint

1. Miss X complains that the Council provided inaccurate information to the courts during care proceedings for her children.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. We cannot investigate a complaint about the start of court action or what happened in court. (Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 5/5A, paragraph 1/3, as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

6. The law prevents us from becoming involved in matters that have been the subject of court proceedings. This includes any information or reports the Council has prepared for the court. Consequently, we cannot investigate Miss X’s complaint.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because the law prevents us from investigating anything that has been subject to court proceedings.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman