If your Service decides that the appeal cannot proceed because it was:
- ruled out of time; or
- ruled inadmissible for not being brought on a valid ground;
you can either:
- ask the Ombudsman to review this admissibility decision. If the Ombudsman disagrees with the decision made, the complaint will go back to your Service to appoint an Appeal Body; or
- ask the Ombudsman for a substance and/or maladministration investigation, if you do not want the appeal admissibility decision reviewed.
If you ask the Ombudsman to review the appeal admissibility decision and the Ombudsman upholds the Service's decision that the appeal cannot proceed, this means that the Service Complaint is finally determined. You then have the option to apply to the Ombudsman for a substance and/or maladministration investigation. You will have 6 weeks and 2 days from the date of our appeal admissibility decision to submit such an application to the Ombudsman.
To find out more information and make an application click the relevant button below.