British Ombudsman Association

Ombudsmen exist to cope with complaints from ordinary citizens about certain public bodies or private sector services. The services offered by ombudsmen are free of charge. Each ombudsman scheme operates under slightly different rules, but in general an ombudsman doesn't consider a complaint unless the organisation, business or professional standards body concerned has 1st been given a reasonable opportunity to cope with it. If the ombudsman decides to conduct a formal investigation, a written report on the investigation will be issued, and will normally set out the evidence considered by the ombudsman and proposals for resolving the dispute. If a complaint is upheld, the ombudsman will expect the organisation to supply a suitable remedy.