Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council not allowing Mr X a fair hearing about his rescue dogs. The law prevents us from investigating matters that have been considered in court.

The complaint

1. Mr X says he was not given a fair hearing by the Council about restrictions placed on his dogs.

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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.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

6. We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint because we cannot consider matters that have been dealt with in court.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman