Government bodies

Pensions Ombudsman

The Pensions Ombudsman investigates and decides complaints and disputes relating to the running of pension schemes in the UK. The site provides information on who can bring a complaint, the sort of pension schemes included and time limits for bringing complaints. Annual reports, application forms and guidance notes can be downloaded from the site and details of related bodies are also included. Determinations of the Ombudsman are available in full back to 2001 and can be searched by keyword or date.

Adjudicator's Office

The Adjudicator's Office investigates complaints about HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the Valuation Office Agency and the Insolvency Service. The website has examples of the sort of complaints that are investigated and a selection of FAQs about the Office. Annual reports and guidance for people making complaints are available, in PDF format, along with an interactive guide on how to complain.

Valuation Tribunal for Wales

Website of the Valuation Tribunal for Wales an independent organisation that deals with appeals about Non-Domestic Rates and Council Tax in Wales. The site has a selection of FAQs providing background information about the role and functions of the Tribunal, how to prepare a case, attending the hearing and making an appeal. A link is given to an external site providing access to the Tribunal’s decisions.

Employment Tribunal

Employment tribunal section of the UK government website. Provides information about making a claim to an employment tribunal and what to do if you are taken to a tribunal. Also makes available forms, procedure rules and practice directions and links to a database of employment tribunal decisions.

Citizens Information

Irish eGovernment website provided by the Citizens Information Board offering information on the social and civil rights of everyone living in Ireland. The site is aimed at the general public and endeavours to be user-friendly and readily accessible. Information is presented under various topical headings reflecting consumer interests, public services and life events: housing, health, birth, personal finance, culture and recreation, justice, etc. The justice section includes information on legal aid, going to court, being a witness, and jury service.

European Commission's Trade Department

This is part of the website of the European Commission's Directorate General for Trade. It is devoted to EU trade policy instruments and the WTO system of international trade. It includes a database of information about WTO disputes involving the EU. There are sections about the Trade Barriers Regulation, anti-dumping and anti-subsidy rules, safeguards, the Injurious Pricing Regulation, trade defence instruments and EU Monitoring of third country commercial defence actions. Legislation, reports and other documents are provided and an overview of each topic is given.

National Legal Internet Portal of the Republic of Belarus

Online portal to Belarus legal information provided by the state National Center of Legal Information of the Republic of Belarus (NCLI). The site provides an outline of the Belarus legal system and the legislative process. There is government information and news covering Belarus legal developments. Access is also given to the Belarus legislation databank "ETALON" which contains over 12000 legal acts made freely available online in Russian.

Independent Review Service for the Social Fund

Website of the Independent Review Service (IRS) for the Social Fund in the United Kingdom. The role of the IRS is to provide an independent review of discretionary Social Fund decisions made in Jobcentre Plus offices. The site has information on the IRS's organisational structure and business objectives and guidance on applying to the Social Fund for a community care grant, crisis loan or budgeting loan. There is also advice on applying for a review of decisions made covering community care grants, crisis loans, budgeting loans and overpayment decisions.

Competition Commission of South Africa

The Competition Commission is a statutory body of the South African Government whose role is to "investigate, control and evaluate restrictive business practices, abuse of dominant positions and mergers in order to achieve equity and efficiency in the South African economy." The site gives background information to competition policy in South Africa and the work of the Commission. Procedural information is given on the different aspects of the Commission's work including mergers and acquisitions, prohibited practices, exemptions and advisory opinions.

Subscribe to Government bodies