F1Part 14ARedress of service complaints

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)
F1

Pt. 14A inserted (1.1.2016) by Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Act 2015 (c. 19), ss. 2(1), 7(1); S.I. 2015/1957, reg. 2 (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2015/1969)

Investigations by Service Complaints Ombudsman

340IProcedure on Ombudsman investigations

1

It is for the Service Complaints Ombudsman to determine—

a

whether to begin, continue or discontinue an investigation;

b

whether to investigate a service complaint, or an allegation, as a whole or only in particular respects.

2

The Secretary of State may make regulations about the procedure to be followed in an investigation.

3

Subject to subsection (2), the procedure for carrying out an investigation is to be such as the Ombudsman considers appropriate in the circumstances.

4

In particular, the Ombudsman may make such inquiries as the Ombudsman considers appropriate.

5

The Secretary of State may by regulations—

a

impose time limits for the taking by the Ombudsman or the complainant of any step specified in the regulations;

b

specify circumstances in which a time limit does not apply.

6

Where—

a

the Ombudsman carries out an investigation under section 340H(1)(b) in connection with the handling of a service complaint, and

b

before the complaint was made, the matter to which it relates was considered in accordance with a process for dealing with matters of that kind,

the Ombudsman may for the purposes of the investigation consider any alleged maladministration in connection with that process.