Summary: We have no jurisdiction to consider a complaint about a decision by an adjudicator on the complainant’s appeal against a penalty charge notice.

The complaint

1. The complainant, who I refer to here as Mr C, has complained about the decision by an adjudicator at London Tribunals on his appeal against a parking penalty charge notice.

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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. London Tribunals considers parking and moving traffic offence appeals for London. The appeals are heard by adjudicators who are appointed by the Lord Chancellor.
4. We have jurisdiction to investigate complaints about the administrative actions of London Tribunals. However, the adjudicators themselves act in a quasi-judicial way. We cannot consider a complaint about a decision taken by an adjudicator on an individual appeal.

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How I considered this complaint

5. I have considered what Mr C said in his complaint and background information provided by London Tribunals.

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Final decision

6. We have no jurisdiction to consider this complaint. This is because it is about a decision by an adjudicator on Mr C’s appeal against a penalty charge notice issued by a council for parking contravention.

Investigator’s decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman