As of 31 January 2020, we have 57 unallocated substance and maladministration cases, an increase from the end of December 2019.
As of 31 January 2020, we have 57 unallocated substance and maladministration cases, an increase from the end of December 2019. We received an influx of applications for substance and maladministration investigations this month which has contributed to the increase. However, the time to allocate a case has reduced from 16 months to 14 months, but this is still unacceptably high, and the team are continuing to work hard to reduce the delay. To help reduce the backlog, a new permanent Senior Investigator has joined the team and we are hoping a second will join us shortly.
Applications for referrals, undue delay investigations and reviews of admissibility decisions continue to be handled within our target timescales.
If you are thinking about making an application to us for a substance or maladministration investigation we encourage you to do so. It is very important that you make your application to the Ombudsman within the 6-week time limit otherwise we may not be able to review your case at all.