Judicial Appointments And Conduct Ombudsman Publishes Annual Report

by Robin Pilgrim, LawAndTax-News.com, London

23 July 2007

The UK's Judicial Appointments and Conducts Ombudsman, Sir John Brigstocke this week published his annual report.

During the period between April 2006 (when the office was first established) and April 2007, the Ombudsman revealed that he had received 304 complaints; 222 regarding complaints handling on judicial conduct, and 82 related to judicial appointments.

The number of cases received in the first year of operation was far above initial estimations, Sir John explained in the report, revealing that:

"The planning assumption made when my office was being created was that I would receive 120 cases a year...we received 304 new cases this year. It is still too soon to know the rate at which cases will be received in the future. Suitable arrangements are in place with the DCA to ensure that I am provided with sufficient resources as and when our workload changes."

Writing with regard to raising awareness about the role of the Ombudsman, he explained that:

"It is important that those who need to use our service, and those who might be affected by it, know about the role and remit of the Ombudsman. We have therefore worked closely with the bodies about which people can complain, to make sure that they provide timely and accurate information to their constituents about their right to complain to me."

In 2006/07, the Judicial and Conducts Ombudsman determined and finalised 37 complaints, of which nine were upheld or partially upheld.

Sir John announced that:

"My decision was not challenged by either the Lord Chancellor (or, in conduct cases, the Lord Chief Justice) in any of these cases. All my recommendations for redress were accepted and have been actioned."

He went on to add, with regard to relationships built with stakeholders since the inception of the office that:

"Good relationships have been established with all stakeholders. I have regular meetings with the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice. I also meet regularly with the Heads of the JAC and the OJC. We have worked closely with both organisations to establish processes and procedures for dealing with complaints as thoroughly and as quickly as possible. We are also in the process of developing similar relationships with Tribunal Presidents and Advisory Committees."

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