The Financial Ombudsman Service oversees the UK financial industry and resolves individual complaints against specific organisations. It covers financial services such as insurance, mortgages, investments and credit. Its website provides information for consumers and businesses, together with a database of the Ombudsman's decisions (or 'determinations') from April 2012 onwards.
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.
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.
Part of the Ministry of Justice website, providing basic information on HM Courts and Tribunal Service. Further information can be found elsewhere on the site, such as procedural rules in civil, criminal and family planning.
The Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) is an agency of the Scottish Government, with responsibility for supervising and regulating the process of bankruptcy in Scotland. The website has guidance for people who are owed money, people at risk of bankruptcy, money advisors and legal practitioners dealing with insolvency cases. Legislation covering bankruptcy in Scotland, forms, consultations and reviews are also provided. A register of insolvencies is available to search, following free registration.
Website of the Crofters Commission, an organisation established in 1955 to develop and regulate the crofting system and to promote and protect the interests of crofters. Crofting is a system of land tenure, regulated through the Crofting Acts, found only in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. This site provides information on the role and functions of the Commission and on becoming a crofter. Publications of the Commission, including leaflets, can be viewed n the site. Forms, legislation and policy guidance can also be downloaded.
The General Teaching Council for Scotland is a statutory organisation and the regulatory body for the teaching profession in Scotland. It aims to improve teaching and learning, enforce existing standards and act as an advocate for the teaching profession in Scotland. Users can find out how to register as a teacher training candidate, more about Initial Teacher Training, post-qualification probation and Continuing Professional Development.
The Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland is responsible for recommending individuals for appointment to judicial offices in Scotland. As well as organisational information about the Board, its website has guidance on the appointment process, annual reports, agendas and minutes and appointment statistics. Vacancies for judges. sheriff principals or sheriffs are advertised on the site and there is a selection of FAQs.
Website of the Judicial Studies Committee, the body responsible for judicial training in Scotland. This includes training for the judiciary in the Supreme Courts (the Court of Session and the High Court of Justiciary) and the sheriff court. The site has profiles of members, annual reports and pdf copies of the Justice's Bench Book for the Justice of the Peace Court and the Equal Treatment Bench Book.
