The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We cannot investigate Miss X’s complaint that the Council provided inaccurate information during court proceedings. The law prevents us from investigating what happened in court.
The complaint
Miss X complains that the Council’s children’s services has provided inaccurate information during family court proceedings.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
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.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
I cannot investigate Miss X’s complaint. The information Miss X complains about has formed part of court proceedings. We have no jurisdiction to investigate any matters related to its preparation or content.
Final decision
We cannot investigate Miss X’s complaint because the law prevents us from investigating what happened in court.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman