Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council altering a court document. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. The Ombudsman has no power to investigate complaints about the conduct of court proceedings.

The complaint

1. The complainant, whom I refer to as Ms X, says the Council unlawfully altered a ‘request for adjournment’ court form. She says this amounts to fraud, deception, and dishonesty towards her.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We cannot investigate a complaint about the start of court action or the conduct of court proceedings. (Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 5/5A, paragraph 1/3, as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Ms X, and our Assessment Code.

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My assessment

4. The law prevents us from investigating complaints about the conduct of court proceedings. This would include Ms X’s allegation that the Council unlawfully altered a court document.

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Final decision

5. We cannot investigate Ms X’s complaint because we have no jurisdiction to investigate complaints about the conduct of court proceedings.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman