The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the content of a document provided to a court. This is because a legal bar prevents us investigating any matter raised in court.
The complaint
Mr X said what a social worker wrote about him contained false statements that damaged his integrity and was used against him in a court case. He wanted the document withdrawn from the court.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.
Final decision
We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint because the document about whose content he complained has formed part of court proceedings.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman