As of 30 January, we have 150 unallocated substance and maladministration cases, this is an increase of 8 cases since November 2018. The oldest unallocated case was received in December 2017.
A further Fee Earner Investigator is due to commence their training in early February to help with the cases. We are currently exploring ways to change our internal processes to reduce the time it takes to investigate a case without compromising the quality of our reports.
We fully accept this is a further deterioration of our service to complainants and apologise. Although there is a very significant delay in allocating a case to investigator please do not let this prevent you from making an application to us as we will look at your case. All cases are allocated in the order that we receive them. The delays in allocation are only affecting substance and maladministration cases, not applications for investigation of undue delay and reviews of admissibility.