Consultation and co-operation
Section 25: Consultation and co-operation with other ombudsmen
77.Section 25(1) and (2) requires the Ombudsman to consult another specified ombudsman whenever he/she thinks that a complaint is about a matter that could be the subject of investigation by that other ombudsman. The other ombudsmen that the Ombudsman is required to consult are specified in section 25(7). There is power for the Assembly, by order, to amend this list of specified ombudsmen (section 25(8) and (9)).
78.Where the Ombudsman is required to consult with another ombudsman on a matter, he/she may also co-operate with that other ombudsman on that matter (section (25(3)). The consultation and co-operation may extend to anything relating to the matter. Examples of matters on which there may be consultation and co-operation are set out in section 25(4), namely:
how an investigation into the complaint should be conducted;
the form, content and publication of a report following an investigation.
79.Section 25(5) and (6) provides that, where such consultation takes place, the Ombudsman and any of the specified ombudsmen (other than the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman) can conduct joint investigations and publish joint reports.
80.In cases of consultation on a complaint, the Ombudsman will be able to use his/her supplementary powers in paragraph 21 of Schedule 1 to the Act to forward a copy of the complaint to the other ombudsman. Furthermore, the Ombudsman could use those supplementary powers to inform the person who has made the complaint how he or she can make a complaint to the other ombudsman.
