[F1340NReferral of certain allegationsU.K.
(1)Where the Service Complaints Ombudsman considers that a communication made to the Ombudsman alleges that a person named in the communication—
(a)is subject to service law and has been wronged in any matter relating to his or her service, or
(b)was wronged in any matter relating to his or her service which occurred while the person was subject to service law,
the Ombudsman may refer the allegation to the appropriate officer.
(2)“The appropriate officer” is the officer whom the Ombudsman considers to be the officer to whom a service complaint made by the person in respect of the alleged wrong is (under service complaints regulations) to be made.
(3)If an allegation is referred under subsection (1), the appropriate officer must as soon as is reasonably practicable—
(a)inform the person that the allegation has been so referred,
(b)ensure that the person is aware of—
(i)the procedure for making a service complaint, and
(ii)the effect on the making of service complaints of provision made by virtue of section 340B(2)(c) (time limit), and
(c)ascertain whether the person wishes to make a service complaint in respect of the alleged wrong.
(4)Regulations made by the Secretary of State must make provision—
(a)about matters that must be notified to the Ombudsman where an allegation is referred under subsection (1), and
(b)about the time by which notification must be given.]
Textual Amendments
F1Pt. 14A inserted (1.1.2016) by Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Act 2015 (c. 19), ss. 2(1), 7(1); S.I. 2015/1957, reg. 2 (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2015/1969)