Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s section 7 court report and contact arrangements with his child. We have no jurisdiction to look at matters subject to court proceedings.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council produced a biased and inaccurate section 7 court report. He is unhappy with the court’s decision regarding contact arrangements with his child.

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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 Mr X and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. I cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint. A section 7 court report forms part of court proceedings. We have no jurisdiction to investigate any matters related to its content and the court’s decision regarding contact arrangements.

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Final decision

7. We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint because it relates to court proceedings.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman