Constitutional Reform Act 2005

Term of office etc. of Ombudsman U.K.

3 (1) The Ombudsman must be appointed for a fixed period. U.K.

(2) But an appointment is subject to paragraphs 4 and 5.

4 (1) A person— U.K.

(a) may not be appointed as the Ombudsman for more than 5 years at a time, and

(b) may not hold office as the Ombudsman for periods (whether or not consecutive) totalling more than 10 years.

5 (1) The Ombudsman may at any time— U.K.

(a) resign his office by notice in writing addressed to Her Majesty;

(b) be removed from office by the Lord Chancellor.

(2) The Lord Chancellor may not remove the Ombudsman from office unless he is satisfied that the Ombudsman—

(a) has become disqualified for appointment under paragraph 1(2),

(b) has ceased to be appropriate for the appointment because of considerations listed in paragraph 1(3),

(c) has, within the preceding nine months, failed to discharge the functions of his office for a continuous period of at least six months,

(d) has been convicted of an offence,

(e) is an undischarged bankrupt [F1 or a person in relation to whom a moratorium period under a debt relief order applies (under Part 7A of the Insolvency Act 1986)], or

(f) is otherwise unfit to hold his office or unable to discharge its functions.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Sch. 13 para. 5(2)(e) inserted (1.10.2012) by The Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2404), art. 1, Sch. 2 para. 52(3) (with art. 5)