Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about how the Council handled a highly sensitive court document. This is because the law prevents us from investigating court matters.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complains about how the Council handled a highly sensitive court document. She said the Council has breached her data. This has caused her significant distress and affected her relationship with family members.
2. Mrs X wants to know what measures have been taken internally to those responsible, what measures will be put in place to prevent further breaches and to be paid compensation.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

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

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My assessment

6. We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint. This is because the complaint relates to a document shared with the courts. Mrs X said the sharing of this information had a negative impact on the court decision. We cannot investigate what happened in court as the law prevent us.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because the law prevents us from investigating court matters.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman