Home
Annual Report 2007-8
The Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman published his second Annual Report on the 2nd July 2008. This can be found under our publications section. Hard copies are available upon request.
What the Ombudsman does
The Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman investigates complaints about the judicial appointments process and the handling of matters involving judicial discipline or conduct.
There are two distinct aspects to his work:
- To seek redress in the event of maladministration. 'Maladministration' includes (among other things) delay, rudeness, bias, faulty procedures, offering misleading advice, refusal to answer questions and unfair treatment; and
- Through recommendations and constructive feedback, to improve standards and practices in the authorities or departments concerned.
The Ombudsman assumed his responsibilities on 3 April 2006 under the Provisions of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005. He is completely independent of Government and the judiciary.
Our principles:
- Our service is free of charge.
- We strive to investigate complaints to the highest standard, dealing with them promptly, fairly and in accordance with our published procedures.
- We have an equal duty of care to the complainant and the person or organisation complained about.
In addition:
- We value people and their diversity.
- We listen to people to understand their needs and tailor our service accordingly.
- We promote equal access to our service for all members of the community.
Judicial appointments process
The Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman investigates complaints from candidates for judicial office, including members of tribunals, about the way in which their application for appointment has been handled.
Before the Ombudsman will take up your judicial appointment complaint you must have already complained to the Judicial Appointments Commission.
The Ombudsman does not act in an appeal capacity. He can consider the points made by complainants and form a view as to whether they were treated fairly.
If you wish to make a complaint please read the appointment leaflet and complete the appointment permission form and monitoring form and return them to us.
If you are not sure whether you are in a position to complain to the Ombudsman, or if you require assistance in making your complaint, you can find our contact details here.
For more information about the type of cases we deal with, please click here.
Judicial conduct process
If you feel that the Office for Judicial Complaints, a Tribunal President or a Magistrates' Advisory Committee has failed to handle your complaint to them properly or fairly the Ombudsman may be able to help you. the Ombudsman cannot review judicial decisions or judicial case management. He can only investigate the process and handling of your case, not the outcome or result.
The Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman can investigate complaints, from members of the public or from judges, about how their complaint was handled by the organisations listed below.
- The Office for Judicial Complaints
- A Tribunal President
- A Magistrates' Advisory Committee
If you have not made a complaint to one of these bodies, then you are not yet in a position to complain to the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman's remit is to investigate the way in which one of these bodies handled your original complaint to them. The Ombudsman cannot look at complaints to him where your complaint is still ongoing with one of the above bodies. The only exception to this is if you wish to complain that one of the bodies listed above is taking too long in handling your complaint.
If you wish to make a complaint please read the conduct leaflet and complete the conduct complaint form and monitoring form and return them to us.
If you are not sure whether you are in a position to complain to the Ombudsman, or if you require assistance in making your complaint, please contact a member of the Ombudsman's team. You can find our contact details here.
For more information about the type of cases we deal with, please click here.
Feedback
It is important to us that we give people the information they need about the Ombudsman and our service. If you would like to give us feedback to help us to improve our service please use this form. Alternatively please refer to the Contact Us section if you would prefer to let us have your feedback another way.