The complaint
Mr X said the Council included sensitive personal information about him in court papers that were shared with his wife’s ex-partner.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
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)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council, and the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
The personal information about Mr X was in papers for a court.
Final decision
We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint because the matters complained of are not separable from the court process.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman