Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that a Council officer inappropriately contacted X about information submitted during judicial review proceedings. This is because the issue raised has not caused X a significant enough injustice to warrant our further involvement.

The complaint

1. X complains about the conduct of a Council officer who contacted X about information submitted during judicial review proceedings.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. I will not investigate X’s complaint about how the actions of the Council officer. This is because I do not consider that this has caused him a significant enough injustice to warrant our further involvement.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate X’s complaint because the Council’s actions did not cause him a significant enough injustice.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman