Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005

13 Investigation procedure

(1) If the Ombudsman conducts an investigation into a complaint in respect of a listed authority, he must—

(a) give the listed authority an opportunity to comment on any allegations contained in the complaint;

(b) give any other person who is alleged in the complaint to have taken or authorised the action complained of an opportunity to comment on any allegations relating to that person.

(2) An investigation must be conducted in private.

(3) Subject to subsections (1) and (2), the procedure for conducting an investigation is to be such as the Ombudsman thinks appropriate in the circumstances of the case.

(4) In particular, the Ombudsman may—

(a) make such inquiries as he thinks appropriate;

(b) determine whether any person may be represented in the investigation by counsel, solicitor or otherwise.

(5) The Ombudsman may pay to the person who made the complaint and to any other person who attends or supplies information for the purposes of the investigation—

(a) such sums as he may determine in respect of expenses properly incurred by them, and

(b) such allowances as he may determine by way of compensation for the loss of their time,

subject to such conditions as he may determine.

(6) The conduct of an investigation in respect of a listed authority does not affect—

(a) the validity of any action taken by the listed authority, or

(b) any power or duty of the listed authority to take further action with respect to any matter under investigation.