Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about information shared during court proceedings. The law prevents us from investigating complaints about what happened in court.

The complaint

1. Miss X complains about information shared during court proceedings that negatively influenced the outcome and breached data protection.

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

Back to top

My assessment

6. I cannot investigate Miss X’s complaint. The law prevents us from investigating complaints about what happened in court. This includes what information a council discloses during proceedings.

Back to top

Final decision

7. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because the law prevents us from investigating complaints about what happened in court.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman