Functions of the Commissioner
Assistance with complaints to relevant authorities11
1
Subject to paragraph (3), the Commissioner may provide assistance (including financial assistance) to a child or young person in making a complaint to a relevant authority—
a
that the rights of the child or young person have been infringed by any action taken by that or another relevant authority; or
b
that the interests of the child or young person have been adversely affected by any such action.
2
Subject to paragraph (4), the Commissioner may act on behalf of a child or young person in—
a
making such a complaint to a relevant authority; and
b
any investigation or other proceedings conducted by that authority pursuant to the complaint.
3
The Commissioner shall not provide any assistance to a child or young person under paragraph (1) unless it appears to the Commissioner that there is no other person or body likely to provide such assistance.
4
The Commissioner shall not take any action on behalf of a child or young person under paragraph (2) unless it appears to the Commissioner that there is no other person or body likely to take such action.
5
Where the making of a complaint to a relevant authority is regulated by a statutory provision, nothing in this Article authorises a complaint to be made to that authority otherwise than in accordance with that provision.