Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005 (c. 10)

Part 2 E+W Investigation of complaints [F1 relating to listed authorities]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Pt. 2 heading inserted (1.11.2014) by Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (anaw 4), s. 199(2), Sch. 3 para. 14; S.I. 2014/2718, art. 2(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 2 applied (with modifications) (22.11.2012) by The Police and Crime Panels (Application of Local Authority Enactments) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2734), regs. 1(1), 3-6, Sch. Pt. 3

C2 Pt. 2 applied (11.10.2005) by The Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005 (Commencement No. 1 and Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2800), art. 6

Investigation procedure and evidence E+W

15 Obstruction and contempt E+W

(1) If the Ombudsman is satisfied that the condition in subsection (2) is met in relation to a person, he may issue a certificate to that effect to the High Court.

(2) The condition is that the person—

(a) without lawful excuse, has obstructed the discharge of any of the Ombudsman's functions under this Part, or

(b) has done an act in relation to an investigation which, if the investigation were proceedings in the High Court, would constitute contempt of court.

(3) But the condition in subsection (2) is not met in relation to a person merely because he has taken action such as is mentioned in section 13(6).

(4) If the Ombudsman issues a certificate under subsection (1), the High Court may inquire into the matter.

(5) If the High Court is satisfied that the condition in subsection (2) is met in relation to the person, it may deal with him in any manner in which it could have dealt with him if he had committed contempt in relation to the High Court.