SPSO Individual Decisions

7,958 published decisions from the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (Jun 2011–May 2026). The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman investigates complaints about public services in Scotland — councils, the NHS, housing associations, and Scottish Government agencies. Source: spso.org.uk.

7,958
Total Decisions
7,733
Investigated
2,215
Upheld
54%
Upheld (of investigated)
Decisions 7,958 Stats Sectors 10 By Organisation 20
Clear

Showing 26 results matching "Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service"

Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (201101166)
Scottish Government and Devolved Administration Not Upheld
Decision date: 1 Feb 2012 · COPFS
Subject: policy/administration
Mr C made three complaints about the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service’s (COPFS) handling of his complaint about police officers. On looking into the complaints, we found that of the three, two related to the investigation of crime and, therefore, fell outside our jurisdiction. On investigating the third complaint we found that the COPFS had not failed to address issues raised by Mr C. We found that the COPFS explained what they had done to investigate Mr C's criminal allegations and that they concluded their investigations were adequate. We, therefore, did not uphold Mr C's complaint. Related reading View Decision Report 201101166 as a PDF (13.64 KB) Updated: March 13, 2018
Upheld
2,215
SPSO found fault with the organisation complained about.
Not Upheld
3,569
Complaint investigated but no fault found.
Closed / Other
38
Closed after initial enquiries, resolved early, or withdrawn.
Most complained-about: Scottish Prison Service (573), Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board - Acute Services Division (571), Lanarkshire NHS Board (388), Tayside NHS Board (286), Highland NHS Board (269).

Investigated Decisions Over Time

Excludes 38 closed after initial enquiries. Quarterly, by outcome.

Decisions by Sector

Sectors by Upheld Rate

Which sectors have the highest upheld rate?

Sector Decisions Upheld Rate
Health 4,465 2,490 56%
Local Government 1,975 1,007 51%
Prisons 573 199 35%
Water 331 162 49%
Education 272 123 45%
Health and Social Care 153 82 54%
Scottish Government and Devolved Administration 145 76 52%
Housing Associations 23 13 57%
Outcome: 11 5 45%
Scottish Government 10 7 70%

Organisation Accountability

Top 20 organisations by upheld rate (minimum 5 investigated decisions). Based on 7,733 investigated decisions (excludes 38 closed after initial enquiries). Benchmark: 54% average across all investigated decisions. Sparklines show annual decision volumes 2017–2026.

# Organisation Trend Investigated Upheld Not Upheld Upheld Rate vs avg
1 Heriot-Watt University 9 6 0 100% +46pp
2 An NHS Board 9 5 0 100% +46pp
3 City Of Glasgow College 6 2 1 83% +29pp
4 A Dental Practice in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board area 11 7 2 82% +28pp
5 Lothian NHS Board - Acute Services Division 11 6 2 82% +28pp
6 Sanctuary (Scotland) Housing Association Ltd 5 3 1 80% +26pp
7 Lothian NHS Board - Royal Edinburgh and Associated Services Division 5 1 1 80% +26pp
8 A Medical Practice in the Western Isles NHS Board area 9 2 2 78% +24pp
9 Lothian NHS Board - University Hospitals Division 9 1 2 78% +24pp
10 A Council 42 15 10 76% +22pp
11 Clear Business Water 16 9 4 75% +21pp
12 River Clyde Homes 11 5 3 73% +19pp
13 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar 14 7 4 71% +17pp
14 Scottish Environment Protection Agency 10 2 3 70% +16pp
15 Dumfries and Galloway NHS Board 104 38 33 68% +14pp
16 Stirling Council 25 6 8 68% +14pp
17 Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service 22 11 7 68% +14pp
18 Grampian NHS Board 249 87 82 67% +13pp
19 Inverclyde Council 15 5 5 67% +13pp
20 Queen Margaret University 12 2 4 67% +13pp
All-organisation benchmark 54% —