United Kingdom

Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman

The Local Government Ombudsman investigates complaints of injustice and misadministration by local authorities and all adult social care providers (including care homes and home care agencies) in England. It includes such areas as housing, education, consumer services, social services and council tax. Its website describes the role of the ombudsman and provides information for the public on how to file a complaint. Annual reports from 1995/96 onwards are available along with a digest of cases considered.

Independent Complaints Reviewer

The Independent Complaints Reviewer provides a complaints review service for the following public bodies: the Land Registry; the Audit Commission; the Charity Commission; the Homes and Communities Agency; the National Archives; the Northern Ireland Youth Justice Agency and the Children’s Commissioner for Wales. The site has guidance to making a complaint, background information on each organisation and copies of their annual reports. The Independent Complaints Reviewer will only investigate complaints once they have been exhausted by the organisation’s internal complaints procedures.

Housing Ombudsman Service

The Housing Ombudsman Service provides an independent service for dealing with complaints made against landlords and housing agents in England, including complaints against social landlords and housing associations. Its website provides information on the work of the Ombudsman and guidance on making a complaint. It also has a link to a selection of case digests and a register of social landlords in England.

Scottish Solicitors' Discipline Tribunal

Website of the Scottish Solicitors' Discipline Tribunal (SSDT), an independent body dealing with serious disciplinary issues within the legal profession, such as professional misconduct and inadequate professional service. The website provides the findings of the Tribunal back to 1995; searchable by name or date, or browseable by case type. Information about the work of the Tribunal works and how to make an appeal is given in the form of a selection of FAQs. There are also Tribunal rules, annual reports and profiles of members.

Standards Commission for Scotland

Website of the Standards Commission for Scotland an independent body set up by the Ethical Standards in Public etc. (Scotland) Act 2000. Complaints against councillors and members of devolved public bodies are investigated by the Chief Investigating Officer (CIO). If the CIO finds there has been a breach of one of the codes of conduct for councillors or members of devolved public bodies they will report this to the Standards Commission who may then hold a hearing. The site has links to the Ethical Standards Act and to the codes of conduct..

Ministry of Justice: Procedure Rules

Collection of procedure rules for different types of litigation in England and Wales, provided by the UK Ministry of Justice. Consists of the Civil Procedure Rules, Criminal Procedure Rules, Family Procedure Rules and other rules that apply to the magistrates courts and Crown Court. Practice directions, court forms and court guides are also available.  

Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland

Website of the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland (MHTS), the forum for making decisions relating to the compulsory care and treatment of people under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. The site gives background information about the Tribunal, including related legislation; it also provides downloadable forms and the full text of appeals against decisions of the MHTS.

Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland

Website of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland (OCPAS) an independent body with responsibility for the regulation of appointments to Scotland’s public bodies. There is information on the appointments process and guidance for people thinking of applying to be a Board Member of a public body. Full text copies of the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments and OCPAS’s equality and diversity strategy can be viewed on the site.

Subscribe to United Kingdom