Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about a court report. The law prevents us from investigating complaints about the start of court action or what happened in court.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained that a report that the Council filed with court was inaccurate, and the methodology used to inform the report was flawed.
2. Mr X said that this has caused distress and made the court proceedings more complicated.
3. Mr X wants the report to be retracted, and for the social workers involved in writing the report to be dismissed.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

4. 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

5. I considered information provided by Mr X
6. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

7. We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint because the law prevents us from investigating complaints about the start of court action or what happened in court.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman