The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the preparation and contents of a Section 7 report that the Council presented to a court. The law prevents us from investigating what happens during court proceedings.
The complaint
Mrs X complains about the contents and preparation of a Section 7 report that the Council produced during proceedings in the Family Court.
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
We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Section 7 report that the Council presented to the courts. The report forms part of court proceedings. We have no power to investigate any matters related to its contents or preparation.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because it is about what happened in court.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman