Voting (full) membership of the Association is open to ombudsman schemes which meet the published criteria for recognition attached to BIOA's rules (essentially: independence of the Ombudsman from those whom the Ombudsman has the power to investigate; effectiveness; fairness and public accountability). The word “ombudsman” does not have to appear in the title of the scheme.
A-Z list of ombudsmen and other complaint-handling bodies
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Adjudicator8th Floor, Euston Tower, 286 Euston Road, London, NW1 3US Tel: 020 7667 1832 Fax: 020 7667 1830 www.adjudicatorsoffice.gov.uk Jurisdiction: UK Category: Tax & Excise Duty BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
investigates complaints from people and businesses about how HM Revenue and Customs, Valuation Office Agency or the Insolvency service have handled their affairs. The Adjudicator does not look at issues of law or of tax liability or appeals against property valuations, because there are tribunals who resolve these problems. She looks into excessive delays, mistakes, discourtesy of staff, the use of discretion and poor or misleading advice. |
| Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) Mid City Place, 71 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6QT Tel: 020 7492 2222 Fax: 020 7242 3696 enquiries@asa.org.uk www.asa.org.uk Jurisdiction: UK Category: Advertising BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
applies the advertising codes and upholds standards in all media on behalf of consumers, business and society. The Codes (TV, radio, and non-broadcast) are written by the Committee of Advertising Practice, part of the industry wing of the self-regulatory system. The broadcast side of the business is conducted in a co-regulatory partnership with the communications regulator Ofcom. The ASA responds to written and telephone complaints (from the public and business competitors), and its website has an online complaints form. It also deals with complaints referred by other agencies, including Trading Standards. The ASA is recognised by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) as the established means for dealing with misleading advertising under the control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations. |
| An Coimisinéir Teanga (Irish Language Commissioner) An Spidéal, Co. na Gaillimhe, Eire, Tel: ++ 353 (0)91 504006 Fax: ++ 353 (0)91 504036 eolas@coimisineir.ie www.comisineir.ie Jurisdiction: Republic of Ireland Category: Government BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
Is iad na príomhchúraimí atá ar An gCoimisinéir Teanga ná monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar an mbealach a bhfuil forálacha an Achta á gcomhlíonadh ag comhlachtaí poiblí na tíre agus gach beart riachtanach a dhéanamh chun a chinntiú go gcomhlíonfaidh comhlachtaí poiblí a ndualgais faoin Acht. Tá ar an gCoimisinéir Teanga gearáin a fhiosrú i gcásanna ina gcreidtear go bhfuil teipthe ar chomhlachtaí poiblí a ndualgais a chomhlíonadh faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 nó faoi aon achtachán eile a bhaineann le stádas nó le húsáid na Gaeilge. (The principal responsibilities of An Coimisinéir Teanga are to monitor the manner in which public bodies throughout the country are complying with the provisions of the Act and to take every measure necessary to ensure that public bodies fulfill their duties under the Act. An Coimisinéir Teanga is also charged with investigating complaints where there are grounds to believe that public bodies have failed to fulfill their obligations under the Official Languages Act 2003 or under any other enactment which deals with the status or use of Irish.) |
| Bermuda Ombudsman Suite 102, 14 Dundonald Street West, Hamilton, HM 09 Tel: 296 6541 Fax: 296 7734 complaint@ombudsman.bm www.ombudsman.bm Jurisdiction: Bermuda Category: Government BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
investigates complaints from the public about the administrative actions of Public Authorities in Bermuda (including Government departments, boards and bodies established or funded by the Legislature). |
| Citizens Advice (see phone book for phone numbers of local offices, , , Tel: Fax: www.citizensadvice.org.uk Jurisdiction: England, Wales & Northern Ireland Category: Advice BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Consumer Organisation |
helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free information and advice from nearly 3,400 locations, and by influencing policymakers. |
| Commissioner for Public Appointments 3rd Floor, 35 Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BQ Tel: 020 7276 2625 Fax: 020 7276 2633 ocpa@gtnet.gov.uk www.ocpa.gov.uk Jurisdiction: England & Wales Category: Government BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
monitors, regulates, reports and advises on Ministerial appointments to public bodies. The Commissioner's code of practice lays down seven principles for scrutiny and equal opportunity in public appointments. The Commissioner can investigate complaints about the way in which a public appointment was made or an applicant was treated. |
| Complaints Commissioner for the British Virgin Islands #80 Main Street, 2nd Floor, PO Box 4628, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110 Virgin Islands, Tel: 00284 468 5123 Fax: 00284 468 5082 complaints@gov.vg Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands Category: Government BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
The function of the Complaints Commissioner include considering complaints relating to maladministration, respond to complaints, appoint mediators where necessary to help resolve dispute, promote public awareness, investigate complaint, and to protect people's interest among other functions. |
| Complaints Commissioner for the Cayman Islands PO Box 2252, Grand Cayman, KY1-1107, Cayman Islands, Tel: 00345 943 2220 Fax: 00345 943 2221 caymancomplaints@yahoo.com www.occ.gov.ky Jurisdiction: Cayman Islands Category: Government BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
investigates in a fair and independent manner complaints against government to ascertain whether injustice has been caused by improper, unreasonable, or inadequate government administrative conduct, and to ascertain the inequitable or unreasonable nature or operation of any enactment or rule of law. |
| Complaints Commissioner to the Bar Standards Board 289-293 High Holborn, London, , WC1V 7HZ Tel: 020 7242 0082 Fax: 020 7831 9217 contactus@barstandardsboard.org.uk www.barstandardsboard.org.uk Jurisdiction: England & Wales Category: Law BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
investigates complaints about barristers. Complainants should first seek advice from their solicitor. |
| Defence Forces Ombudsman, Ireland 13/15 Lower Hatch Street, , Dublin 2, Tel: + 353 (0)1 6633 222 (Lo-Call 1890 252 281) Fax: + 353 (0)1 6633 223 admin@odf.ie www.odf.ie Jurisdiction: Republic of Ireland Category: Defence Forces BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
investigates complaints by members and former members of the Defence Forces in the Republic of Ireland. The Ombudsman is impartial. She is independent of the Minister for Defence, the Department of Defence and the military authorities. The Ombudsman's task is to ensure that members, and former members, of the Permanent Defence Forces and Reserve Defence Forces have a rigorous, independent and fair appeal for complaints they believe have not been adequately addressed by the internal military complaints process. |
| Dispute Resolution Services (IDRS) 24 Angel Gate, London, , EC1V 2PT Tel: 020 7520 3800 Fax: 0845 1308 117 info@idrs.ltd.uk www.idrs.ltd.uk Jurisdiction: UK Category: Arbitration BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators which provides over 80 consumer redress services, covering a wide range of business sectors and tens of millions of consumers in the UK. |
| Dispute Service Ltd PO Box 1255, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP1 9GN Tel: 0845 226 7837 Fax: 01442 253193 deposits@tds.gb.com www.thedisputeservice.co.uk Jurisdiction: UK Category: Lettings & Tenancy BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
is an independent, not-for-profit company established in 2003 to resolve complaints and disputes arising in the private rented sector speedily, cost-effectively and fairly. As well as running the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, the company deals with complaints against members of The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA). |
| Energy Ombudsman PO Box 966, Warrington, , WA4 9DF Tel: 0845 055 0760 or 01925 530263 Fax: 0845 055 0765 or 01925 530264 enquiries@energy-ombudsman.org.uk www.energy-ombudsman.org.uk Jurisdiction: UK Category: Energy BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
deals with complaints about bills for your gas and electricity services, complaints about an energy supplier's sales activity and about problems when changing your supplier. |
| Equality Tribunal 3 Clonmel Street, Dublin 2, Ireland, Tel: 00 3531 477 4100 LoCall 1890 344424 Fax: 00 3531 477 4141 info@equalitytribunal.ie www.equalitytribunal.ie Jurisdiction: Republic of Ireland Category: Discrimination BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
is the impartial forum to hear or mediate complaints of alleged discrimination under equality legislation. It is independent and quasi-judicial and its decisions and mediated settlements are legally binding. |
| Financial Ombudsman Service South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London, E14 9SR Tel: 0845 0801800 Fax: 020 7964 1001 complaint.info@financial-ombudsman.org.uk www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk Jurisdiction: UK Category: Finance BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
has been set up by law as a single port of call for consumers with complaints against financial firms. It covers most areas of personal finance, from insurance and pension complaints to bank accounts and investments. |
| Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme for the Isle of Man Government Buildings Lord Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1LE Tel: 01624 686500 Fax: 01624 686504 ombudsman@iomoft.gov.im www.gov.im/oft/ombudsman Jurisdiction: Isle of Man Category: Finance BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
is a free, independent dispute resolution service for customers with a complaint about financial services provided in or from the Isle of Man. Financial services include insurance, investments, banking, mortgages and credit as well as pension and other financial advice. Customers can be based anywhere in the world. |
| Financial Services Ombudsman, Ireland Lincoln House, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2, Tel: 353 1 6620899 Lo-call: 1890 88 20 90 Fax: 353 1 6620890 enquiries@financialombudsman.ie www.financialombudsman.ie/ Jurisdiction: Republic of Ireland Category: Finance BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
considers complaints from customers of all licensed Banks and Building Societies, Credit Unions, insurance companies, customers of brokers and all other regulated financial service providers arising from services which have been provided within the State. The existing voluntary Ombudsman for the Credit Institutions and the Insurance Ombudsman of Ireland schemes are incorporated into the Bureau. Existing complaints still in process will be carried forward to the statutory scheme. Maximum award ˆ250,000. |
| Furniture Ombudsman The Furniture Ombudsman, Maxwell Road, Stevenage, SG1 2EW Tel: 0845 653 2064 (Advice line: 08701 620 690) Fax: 0845 653 2065 info@thefurnitureombudsman.org www.thefurnitureombudsman.org Jurisdiction: UK Category: Furniture BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
is the independent standards body for furniture and floorcoverings and is not allied to any retailer or manufacturer. Its role is to improve the standard and service offered by retailers, manufacturers and other associated companies. Dispute resolution is achieved through the conciliation and adjudication service that is exclusive to registered members of The Furniture Ombudsman. The conciliation service is backed by a range of information and support services, all aimed at reducing the level of complaints and improving registered members’ reputations with customers. |
| Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission 150 Upper Abbey Street, Dublin 2, , Tel: 00 3531 871 6727 Fax: 00 3531 814 7023 info@gsoc.ie www.gardaombudsman.ie Jurisdiction: Republic of Ireland Category: Police BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
provides an independent and effective civilian oversight of policing. It will deal with the public’s complaints concerning Gardaí fairly and efficiently so that everyone can have confidence in the complaints system. |
| Gibraltar Ombudsman Office of the Ombudsman, 10 Governor's Lane, Gibraltar, Tel: 46001 Fax: 46002 ombuds@gibnet.gi www.ombudsman.org.gi Jurisdiction: Gibraltar Category: Government BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
has powers to investigate complaints from the general public about acts of maladministration by the Government of Gibraltar or other providers of services appointed by the Government of Gibraltar. |
| Housing Ombudsman Service 81 Aldwych, London, , WC2B 4HN Tel: 020 7421 3800 Lo-call 0845 712 5973 Fax: info@housing-ombudsman.org.uk www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk Jurisdiction: UK Category: Housing BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
deals with complaints from people who receive a direct service from registered social landlords in England, and certain other landlords who are members of the scheme including bodies who take over the management of homes transferred from local authorities. Some private landlords are members of the scheme. The Ombudsman can also consider other disputes involving a member landlord whether or not there is evidence of maladministration, provided they are about the management of the complainant's home. |
| Independent Case Examiner PO Box 155, , Chester, CH99 9SA Tel: 0151 801 8800, Lo-call 0845 6060777, Minicom: 0151 Fax: 0151 801 8802 ice@dwp.gsi.gov.uk www.ind-case-exam.org.uk Jurisdiction: UK Category: Children BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
acts as an independent referee for people who feel that the following Government Agencies or Businesses have not treated them fairly or have not dealt with complaints in a satisfactory manner. The Agencies/Businesses are: - the Child Support Agency - Debt Management - Disability and Carers Service - Financial Assistance Scheme - Jobcentre Plus - Child Maintenance and Enforcement Division (Northern Ireland) - Northern Ireland Social Security Agency - Pension Service - Rent Service |
| Independent Complaints Mediator for the Criminal Records Bureau PO Box 165, Shannon Court, Princes Parade, Liverpool, L69 3JD Tel: 0151 676 1501 Fax: 0151 676 1730 www.crb.gov.uk Jurisdiction: UK Category: Criminal Records BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
investigates complaints about all the activities of the Criminal Records Bureau relating to mistakes, delays, staff behaviour and administrative errors. |
| Independent Complaints Reviewer New Premier House (Second Floor), 150 Southampton Row, London, WC1B 5AL Tel: 020 7278 6251 Fax: 020 7278 9675 enquiries@icr.gsi.gov.uk www.icrev.org.uk Jurisdiction: England & Wales Category: Housing BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
investigates complaints about the Land Registry, the Land Register of Northern Ireland, the Public Record Office, the Charity Commission, the Audit Commission and the Housing Corporation. Her role is to establish whether there has been maladministration on the part of the agency in the conduct of matters giving rise to complaints. These include failure to meet standards of service, quality, speed and performance. Where appropriate she makes recommendations aimed at putting matters right for an individual complainant and improving services in the future. |
| Independent Police Complaints Commission 90 Holborn, , London, WC1V 6BH Tel: 0845 3002002 Fax: 020 7404 0430 enquiries@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk www.ipcc.gov.uk Jurisdiction: England & Wales Category: Police, HM Revenue and Customs BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
replaced the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) on 1 April 2004 with a wide range of new, stronger powers to change radically the way complaints against the police are dealt with in England and Wales. In doing so the IPCC aims to increase public confidence by demonstrating the independence, accountability and integrity of the complaints system and so contribute to the effectiveness of the police service as a whole. The IPCC will do this by independently investigating, managing or supervising police investigations of complaints and allegations of misconduct; acting as guardians of the police complaints system as a whole; contributing to policing excellence by working with others to learn and sharing the lessons arising from the IPCC's work. The IPCC's remit includes all police officers irrespective of their rank, special constables, police support staff and certain contractors' staff. The IPCC is accountable to Parliament through the Home Secretary. Since April 2006, the IPCC has taken on public complaints when HM Revenue and Customs staff are using police-like powers. The IPCC also handles public complaints against Serious Organised Crime Agency staff. |
| Independent Review Service 4th Floor City Centre Podium, 5 Hill Street, Birmingham, B5 4UB Tel: 0845 300 1960 Mini-com: 0845 300 1964 Fax: sfc@irs-review.org.uk www.irs-review.org.uk Jurisdiction: UK Category: Benefits BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
reviews discretionary Social Fund decisions made by the Department of Work and Pensions. You can apply for a review, if your case has already been reviewed by the Department for Work and Pensions. Routine cases are reviewed within twelve days. |
| Information Commissioner Wycliffe House Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF Tel: 01625 545700 Fax: 01625 524510 enquiries@dataprotection.gov.uk www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk Jurisdiction: UK Category: Data Protection & Information BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
enforces and oversees the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The Commissioner is a UK independent supervisory authority reporting direct to the UK Parliament and has an international role as well as a national one. In the UK the Commissioner has a range of duties including the promotion of good information handling and the encouragement of codes of practice for data controllers, that is,anyone who decides how and why personal data, (information about identifiable, living individuals) are processed. |
| Institute Of Chartered Accountants Of Scotland CA House, 21 Haymarket Yards, Edinburgh, EH12 5BH Tel: 0131 347 0100 Fax: 0131 347 0111 legalservices@icas.org.uk www.icas.org.uk Jurisdiction: Scotland Category: Accountancy BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
is responsible for investigating complaints about the professional conduct of Scottish chartered accountant members and for regulating accountants' practices. The Institute cannot investigate complaints about poor service. It also administers the Chartered Accountants Compensation Scheme for Investment Business complaints. |
| Judicial Appointments & Conduct Ombudsman 13.51 13th Floor, The Tower, 102 Petty France, London, SW1H 9AJ Tel: 020 3334 2900 Fax: 020 3334 2913 headoffice@jaco.gsi.gov.uk Jurisdiction: England & Wales Category: Judicial BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
investigates complaints about the judicial appointments process and the handling of matters involving judicial discipline or conduct. |
| Law Society of Ireland Blackhall Place, Dublin 7, , Tel: + 353 01 672 4800 Fax: + 353 01 672 4895 general@lawsociety.ie www.lawsociety.ie Jurisdiction: Republic of Ireland Category: Law BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
The Society may investigate complaints against solicitors made by or on behalf of clients alleging inadequate professional services, execssive fees or misconduct. |
| Law Society of Scotland, Client Relations Office 26 Drumsheugh Gardens, , Edinburgh, EH3 7YR Tel: 0845 113 0018 Fax: 0131-226 7884 cro@lawscot.org.uk www.lawscot.org.uk Jurisdiction: Scotland Category: Law BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
is responsible for dealing with complaints made both by solicitors and members of the public about the conduct of solicitors and the service provided by them. Complaints investigations are carried out in writing and the leaflet "Dissatisfied with your Solicitor?" which is available from the Client Relations Office and is on the Law Society of Scotland website gives details of the procedures for making a complaint. The leaflet "Dissatisfied with your Solicitor?" is also available from the Client Relations Office in a number of other languages. |
| Lay Observer for Northern Ireland 21 Chichester Street, Belfast, , BT1 4JJ Tel: 028 9024 5028 Fax: 028 9025 1944 alasdair.maclaughlin@nics.gov.uk Jurisdiction: Northern Ireland Category: Law BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
monitors complaints made by members of the public to the Law Society of Northern Ireland about the conduct of solicitors and the manner in which the complaints are dealt with by the Society. He also considers allegations made by individuals who are not satisfied with the Law Society's handling of complaints. |
| Legal Complaints Services Victoria Court 8 Dormer Place, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 5AE Tel: 01926 820082 Fax: 01926 431435 enquiries@legalcomplaints.org.uk www.legalcomplaints.org.uk Jurisdiction: England & Wales Category: Law BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
is responsible for investigating complaints about the conduct and service of solicitors in England and Wales and for regulating solicitors' practices. It also administers the Law Society's Remuneration Certificates department, which carries out free of charge reviews of solicitors' charges, and the Compensation Fund. |
| Legal Services Ombudsman 3rd Floor Sunlight House, Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3JZ Tel: 0161 839 7262 Lo-call 0845 6010794 Fax: 0161 832 5446 DX 18569 Manchester 7 lso@olso.gsi.gov.uk www.olso.org Jurisdiction: England & Wales Category: Law BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
oversees the handling of complaints about solicitors, barristers, licensed conveyancers, legal executives and patent agents by the professional bodies responsible for setting and maintaining standards within the legal profession in England and Wales. Complainants must first refer their complaint to the relevant professional body before approaching the Ombudsman. |
| Local Government Ombudsman Millbank Tower, Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP Tel: 020 7217 4620 Lo-call 0845 602 1983 Fax: 020 7217 4621 enquiries@lgo.org.uk www.lgo.org.uk Jurisdiction: England Category: Government BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
There are three for England and previously one each for Scotland and Wales, although the latter two have been replaced with Public Services Ombudsmen for each country. They investigate complaints against principal councils (not town, parish or community councils) and certain other bodies in England. By law, some kinds of complaint cannot be considered. Examples are personnel complaints and complaints about the internal running of schools. |
| Northern Ireland human Rights Commission Temple Court, 39 Northe Street, Belfast, BT1 1NA Tel: 028 9024 3987 Fax: 028 9024 7844 www.nihrc.org Jurisdiction: Northern Ireland Category: Human Rights BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission works vigorously and independently to ensure that the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland are fully and firmly protected in law, policy and practice. To that end the Commission measures law, policy and practice in Northern Ireland against internationally accepted rules and principles for the protection of human rights and ensures that they are promoted, adopted and applied throughout Northern Ireland. |
| Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Ombudsman 6th Floor, Bedford House, Bedford Street, Belfast, BT2 7DS Tel: 028 9072 8930 Fax: 020 9072 8936 karamjitsingh@courtsni.gov.uk Jurisdiction: Northern Ireland Category: Judicial BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
investigates complaints, where maladministration or unfairness is alleged to have occurred during the appointments process by the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission, the Northern Ireland Court Service or the Lord Chancellor. |
| Northern Ireland Ombudsman Progressive House, 33 Wellington Place, Belfast, BT1 6HN Tel: 02890 233821 Freephone: 0800 343424 Fax: 02890 234912 ombudsman@ni-ombudsman.org.uk www.ni-ombudsman.org.uk Jurisdiction: Northern Ireland Category: Government BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
broadly covers the same areas as the Parliamentary, Local Government and Health Service Ombudsmen do in Britain. Additional powers include investigation of personnel complaints, and legal recourse by the complainant for damages in local government and health service complaints. |
| Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman New Cathedral Buildings Saint Anne's Square, 11 Church Street, Belfast, BT1 1PG Tel: 028 90 828600 Lo-call 0845 6012931 Fax: 028 90 828615 infor@policeombudsman.org www.policeombudsman.org Jurisdiction: Northern Ireland Category: Police BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
investigates complaints against police officers, involving both criminal and disciplinary issues. She is also required to report on trends in complaints. She can react to incidents - even if no individual complaint has been made - if she believes it is in the public interest to do so. |
| Office for Legal Complaints , , , Tel: Fax: Jurisdiction: England & Wales Category: Law BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
|
| Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education Third Floor, King's Reach, 38 - 50 King's Road, Reading, RG1 3AA Tel: 0118 959 9813 Fax: 0118 955 9099 enquiries@oiahe.org.uk www.oiahe.org.uk Jurisdiction: England & Wales Category: Education BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
reviews decisions made by higher education institutions (HEIs) in relation to students. The scheme became statutory on 1 January 2005 and all HEIs in England and Wales are required to participate. The Office does not review complaints about admissions or matters of academic judgement. Students must first exhaust the HEI's internal complaints procedures. |
| Office of the Ombudsman (Ireland) 18 Lower Leeson Street, , Dublin 2, Tel: 353 1 6785222 Fax: 353 1 6610570 ombudsman@ombudsman.irlgov.ie www.irlgov.ie/ombudsman/ Jurisdiction: Republic of Ireland Category: Government BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
investigates complaints about administrative action, delay or inaction of Government Departments and Offices, Local Authorities, Health Boards and the postal service. A complainant may write, e-mail, telephone or call personally to the Office to submit a complaint. The Ombudsman is also the Information Commissioner and, in that capacity, he reviews the decisions of public bodies in relation to matters covered by the Freedom of Information Act, 1997. |
| Older People's Commissioner for Wales Cambrian Buildings, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff, CF10 5FL Tel: 08442 640670 Fax: 08442 640680 ask@olderpeoplewales.com www.olderpeoplewales.com Jurisdiction: Wales Category: Older People BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
is a champion for older people and ensures that the interests of older people in Wales, who are aged 60 and over, are sfeguarded and promoted. The Commission will be a source of information, advocacy and support for older peopel in Wales. |
| Ombudsman for Children Millenium House, 52-56 Great Strand Street, Dublin 1, Tel: 353 1 865 6800 Fax: oco@oco.ie www.oco.ie Jurisdiction: Republic of Ireland Category: Children BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
safeguards, promotes the rights of and also deals with complaints about government services that relate to children and young people under the age of 18. |
| Ombudsman Services , , , Tel: Fax: Jurisdiction: UK Category: Telecomms, Surveyors, Energy BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
|
| Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Millbank Tower, Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP Tel: 0345 015 4033 Fax: 020 7217 4160 phso.enquiries@ombudsman.org.uk www.ombudsman.org.uk Jurisdiction: UK Category: Government BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
independently investigates complaints about unfair or improper actions or poor services by UK government departments and their agencies in the UK, and the NHS in England. The Ombudsman aims to put things right where possible and share lessons learned to improve public services. A free service open toeveryone. |
| Pensions Ombudsman 11 Belgrave Road, , London, SW1V 1RB Tel: 020 7834 9144 Fax: 020 7821 0065 enquiries@pensions-ombudsman.org.uk www.pensions-ombudsman.org.uk Jurisdiction: UK Category: Pensions BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
considers complaints of maladministration by, and disputes of fact or law with, trustees, managers, employers and administrators in relation to pension schemes. Schemes can be "occupational" (i.e. established by an employer), or "personal" (set up by an individual for themselves), and his jurisdiction includes "stakeholder" pensions. In some circumstances he can investigate complaints made by trustees, managers or employers against similar bodies. Complainants should first seek the help of The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS)- tel. 0845 6012923. |
| Pensions Ombudsman of Ireland 36 Upper Mount Street, , Dublin 2, Tel: 353 1 647 1650 Fax: 353 1 676 9577 info@pensionsombudsman.ie www.pensionsombudsman.ie Jurisdiction: Republic of Ireland Category: Pensions BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
considers complaints of maladministration by, and disputes of fact or law with, trustees, managers, employers and administrators in relation to occupational pension schemes (i.e. those established by an employer). His jurisdiction includes Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs), but not Retirement Annuity Contracts (often called "personal pensions") or Approved Retirement Funds (ARFs). |
| Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland Hamilton House, Hamilton Business Park, Caird Park, Hamilton, ML3 0QA Tel: Freephone 0808 178 5577 Fax: 10698 542901 enquiries@pcc-scotland.org www.pcc-scotland.org Jurisdiction: Scotland Category: Police BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
The main role of PCCS is to review the way in which police organisations in Scotland deal with complaints made by members of the public. |
| Press Ombudsman, Ireland 1,2 & 3 Westmorland Street, Dublin 2, Ireland, Tel: Lo-call: 1890 208 080 Fax: 01 6740041 info@pressombudsman.ie www.pressombudsman.ie Jurisdiction: Republic of Ireland Category: Press BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
is part of a new system of independent regulation for the printed media in Ireland. The job of the Ombudsman is to investigate complaints that breach a new Code of Practice which the press industry signed up to in 2007. Our aim is to provide the public with a quick, fair and free method of resolving any complaints they may have in relation to newspapers and periodicals that breach the Code. You can make a complaint to the Office of the Press Ombudsman about an article or about the behaviour of a journalist. |
| Prisoner Ombudsman for Northern Ireland 22nd Floor, Windsor House, Bedford Street, Belfast, BT2 7FT Tel: 028 9044 3982 Fax: 028 9044 3993 pa@prisonerombudsman.x.gsi.gov.uk www.niprisonerombudsman.gov.uk Jurisdiction: Northern Ireland Category: Prisons BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
is appointed by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and investigates complaints from prisoners held in Northern Ireland who remain unhappy with the answer they have received from the Prison Service. The Ombudsman is completely independent of the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS). With effect from 1 September 2005 the remit of the Prisoner Ombudsman was extended as required by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to investigate deaths in Prison Service Custody. With effect from 1 February 2010 the remit of the Prisoner Ombudsman was further extended to include investigation of complaints from visitors to prison. |
| Prisons and Probation Ombudsman Ashley House, 2 Monck Street, London, SW1P 2BQ Tel: 020 7035 2876 Fax: 020 7035 2860 mail@ppo.gsi.gov.uk www.ppo.gov.uk Jurisdiction: England & Wales Category: Prisons BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
considers complaints from prisoners about their treatment in jail. He can consider both the merits of the case and the procedures followed. His remit also extends to the probation service. |
| Property Ombudsman Beckett House, 4 Bridge Street, Salisbury, SP1 2LX Tel: 01722 333306 Fax: 01722 332296 admin@tpos.co.uk www.tpos.co.uk Jurisdiction: UK Category: Estate Agents BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
scheme covers most of the large chains owned by banks, building societies and insurance companies, and offices under the management of members of the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The Ombudsman can deal with most complaints from private individuals as actual or potential buyers, sellers or renters of residential property in the United Kingdom, made within 12 months of the event. Jurisdiction now also extends to landlords and tenants of property to let. Disputes over surveys are excluded. |
| Public Service Ombudsman for Wales 1 Ffordd yr Hen Gae, , Pencoed, CF35 5LJ Tel: 01656 641150 Fax: 01656 641199 ask@ombudsman-wales.org.uk www.ombudsman-wales.org.uk Jurisdiction: Wales Category: Government BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
looks into complaints about public services in Wales. The bodies the Ombudsman can look into include: local government (county/county borough councils and community councils); the National Health Service (including GPs); the National Assembly for Wales and housing associations. He also investigates complaints that local authority councillors have broken their authority's code of conduct. The Ombudsman is independent and unbiased. The service is free of charge. |
| Regulation & Quality Improvement Authority 9th Floor, Riverside Tower, 5 Lanyon Place, Belfast, BT1 3BT Tel: 02890 517500 Fax: 02890 517501 info@rqia.org.uk www.rqia.org.uk Jurisdiction: Northern Ireland Category: Health & Social Care BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority is a new, independent body, established by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, on 1 April 2005. It has overall responsibility for monitoring and inspecting the availability and quality of health and social care services in Northern Ireland and encouraging improvements in the quality of those services. |
| Removals Industry Ombudsman Scheme PO Box 3862, Gerrards Cross, Bucks., SL9 7WG Tel: 01753 888206 Fax: ombudsman@removalsombudsman.co.uk www.removalsombudsman.org.uk Jurisdiction: UK Category: Removals BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
provides an independent complaint resolution procedure for customers of removal companies. All companies which are members of the National Guild of Removers and Storers have joined the Scheme, which is free to complainants. Both domestic and commercial removals are covered. The Ombudsman Scheme is accessible after conciliation by the trade association has been exhausted. |
| Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Professional Conduct Section PO Box 2291, , Coventry, CV4 8ZJ Tel: 020 7222 7000 Fax: 020 7334 3801 conduct@rics.org.uk www.rics.org.uk Jurisdiction: UK Category: Surveyors BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
investigates complaints about service and conduct standards. It does not look at issues of surveyors' professional competence and is not able to give financial compensation. In such cases complainants should take their complaints to the Surveyors Arbitration Scheme, via their surveyor's own mandatory complaints procedure, or to the small claims court. |
| Scottish Consumer Council Royal Exchange House, 100 Queen Street, Glasgow, G1 3DN Tel: 0141 226 5261 Fax: 0141 221 0731 mevans@scotconsumer.org.uk www.scotconsumer.org.uk Jurisdiction: Scotland Category: Consumers BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Consumer Organisation |
an independent policy organisation with a solid foundation in consumer research. |
| Scottish Information Commissioner Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St Andrews, KY16 9DS Tel: 01334 464610 Fax: 01334 464511 enquiries@itspublicknowledge.info www.itspublicknowledge.info Jurisdiction: Scotland Category: Information BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
considers appeals from anyone who has made a request for information to a Scottish public authority and is dissatisfied with the outcome. |
| Scottish Legal Complaints Commission The Stamp Office, 10-14 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG Tel: 0131 528 5111 Fax: 0131 528 5110 enquiries@scottishlegalcomplaints.org.uk www.scottishlegalcomplaints.org.uk Jurisdiction: Scotland Category: Law BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
was set up under the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 to investigate complaints made by members of the public about services provided by legal practitioners in Scotland. It operates wholly independently of the legal profession, and opened for business on 1st October 2008. |
| Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner The Scottish Parliament, , Edinburgh, EH99 1SP Tel: 0131 348 6666 Fax: 0131 348 6834 standards.commissioner@scottish.parliament.uk www.spsc.co.uk Jurisdiction: Scotland Category: Government BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
investigates complaints that an MSP has breached the Code of Conduct for MSPs. He does this independently of Parliament and reports his findings to Parliament, but within a set of rules laid down in the Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Act 2002. The Code of Conduct is published on the Parliament website www.scottish.parliament.uk on MSP page. Breaches of the Code cover things like not being accessible enough to constituents, not making known private interests that might conflict with work as an MSP, accepting rewards in return for promoting particular issues and giving favoured access to people who use lobbying firms. |
| Scottish Public Services Ombudsman 4 Melville Street, , Edinburgh, EH3 7NS Tel: 0800 377 7330 Fax: 0800 377 7331 ask@spso.org.uk www.spso.org.uk Jurisdiction: Scotland Category: Government BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
provides a 'one-stop-shop' for individuals making complaints about organisations providing public services in Scotland. We deal with complaints about councils, housing associations, the National Health Service, the Scottish Executive and its agencies and departments, colleges and universities and most Scottish public authorities. Complaints can be made directly to us. You can visit our office, call or text us, write to us, or fill out our online complaint form. Our service is independent, impartial and free. |
| Service Complaints Commissioner for the Armed Forces PO Box 61755, London, , SW1A 2WA Tel: 0203 178 7634 Fax: scc@armedforcescomplaints.independent.gov.uk armedforcescomplaints.independent.gov.uk Jurisdiction: UK Category: Armed Forces BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
acts as a 'watchdog' for the Armed Forces Service complaints system, monitoring how all complaints are handled, identifying good practice and making recommendations for improvement. The Commissioner is also an independent point of contact for Service men and women who have a complaint, particularly those who do not have the confidence to raise issues of bullying, harassment, discrimination, victimisation or other improper behaviour directly with their Commanding Officer. |
| Standards Board for England 4th Floor, Griffin House, 40 Lever Street, Manchester, M1 1BB Tel: 0800 107 2001 Fax: 0161 817 5499 enquiries@standardsboard.gov.uk www.standardsboard.gov.uk Jurisdiction: England Category: Government BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
responsible for promoting high ethical standards in local democracy and investigating allegations that members' behaviour may have fallen short of the required standards. |
| States of Jersey Administrative Appeals System Morier House, St Helier, Jersey, JE1 1DD Tel: 01534 441004 Fax: 01534 441098 a.harris@gov.je www.gov.je/statesgreffe Jurisdiction: Jersey Category: Government BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
allows any person who is aggrieved by a decision of a Committee or Department of the States of Jersey to apply to the Greffier of the States for a review by a Board of Administrative Appeal. Each Board consists of three independent persons drawn from a Panel of persons appointed by the States. If a Board upholds the complaint it can request the relevant Minister or Department to reconsider the matter. |
| Surveyors Ombudsman Service PO Box 1021, Warrington, , WA4 9FE Tel: 0845 050 8181 or 01925 530270 Fax: 0845 051 1213 or 01925 530271 enquiries@surveyors-ombudsman.org.uk www.surveyors-ombudsman.org.uk Jurisdiction: UK Category: Surveyors BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
deals with complaints made against Chartered Surveying Firms which have joined the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and become a member of the Surveyors Ombudsman Service. We can only look at your problem if one of our members is involved, so it is very important that you check this first. The Chartered Surveying Firm you are complaining about will tell you if it is a member of the Surveyors Ombudsman Service. Alternatively yu can call the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to ask if the Firm you are using is a member of Surveyors Ombudsman Service. |
| Telecommunications Ombudsman (Otelo) Wilderspool Park, Greenall's Avenue, Warrington, WA4 6HL Tel: 0845 050 1614 Fax: 0845 050 1615 enquiries@otelo.org.uk www.otelo.org.uk Jurisdiction: UK Category: Telecommunications BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
has been set up by the telecommunications industry as an independent body to consider unresolved complaints by residential and small business customers against member companies. |
| The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) 5th Floor Counting House, 53 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QN Tel: Lo-call 0845 000 0046 Fax: 020 7211 1553 info@oisc.gov.uk www.oisc.gov.uk Jurisdiction: UK Category: Immigration BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body |
is responsible for setting standards and regulating immigration advisers as well as investigating complaints made about anyone giving immigration advice, including solicitors, barristers and legal executives. |
| Waterways Ombudsman PO Box 35, , York, YO60 6WW Tel: 01347 879075 Fax: enquiries@waterways-ombudsman.org www.waterways-ombudsman.org Jurisdiction: UK Category: Waterways BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full) |
considers complaints of maladministration or unfairness against British Waterways, once its internal complaints procedure has been completed. The Ombudsman cannot investigate complaints about personnel matters, or matters which have been, or are being, considered by a court. There is a time limit for bringing complaints. |