The Ombudsman Process

2805 Words12 Pages
Administrative Law and Justice LAW3014 Assessed Essay Q2. The methodology of the ombudsman process is inherently flawed and unfair both to the complainant and the body complained against. The ombudsman process in the UK should be revised or scrapped. Critically discuss. Introduction – The Ombudsman The office of the ombudsman is a non-court based mechanism through which people can file complaints of maladministration against public bodies. The Ombudsman’s role is to investigate such complaints and try to secure redress whenever an injustice has occurred. At the same time, he has a forward-looking role of identifying the reasons for which the injustice occurred and trying to find alternative ways of administration in order to avoid the repetition of mistakes. The private sector Ombudsmen currently operating in the UK are the Parliamentary Ombudsmen, who investigates complaints against general public bodies, the Health Service Ombudsman, who has jurisdiction over complaints against health service providers, the Local Government Ombudsman, who investigates complaints against local authorities and the Independent Housing Ombudsman who deals with complaints against social landlords. Despite the fact that it fulfills a central role in the process of administrative justice, the ombudsman process can be considered to be flawed and unfair in certain areas. This essay will outline and discuss some of the major criticisms that can be associated with the office of the ombudsman and provide options through which the efficiency and fairness of its activity can be enhanced. Awareness One of the barriers associated with the Ombudsman process in relation to complainants is public awareness. In 2003, the Local Government Ombudsman, together with the Parliamentary Ombudsman, carried out a survey which looked at public perception of the ombudsman service. The finding

More about The Ombudsman Process

Open Document