This report sets out to improve the Ombudsman’s handling of complaints about courts and tribunals; give courts and tribunals a clearer understanding of the Ombudsman’s role; improve public understanding of the role of the Ombudsman in relation to courts and tribunals; and improve understanding of the complaint mechanisms available in the courts and tribunals themselves.

Part 1 of the report sets out the background and intended purpose of this project, while Part 2 sets out the statutory limits of the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction and some of the difficulties in applying the current legislation, as well as discussing the factors the Ombudsman considers when deciding whether to investigate a complaint that is within the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction. Part 3 sets out the complaint-handling processes of the courts and tribunals involved in the project.