Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about information the Council provided during court proceedings. This is because the law prevents us from investigating complaints about what happens in court. 

The complaint

1. X complains about an assessment the Council produced during court proceedings. X says the assessment was inaccurate and lacked impartiality.

Back to top

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)

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

Final decision

6. We cannot investigate X’s complaint because the law prevents us from investigating what happens in court. This includes the preparation and contents of reports that councils present during proceedings.  

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman