GovWire

The Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman can look into complaints about the appointment process for judges and tribunal members.

You can complain to the ombudsman if:

• you are the candidate who applied for the post
• you have already complained about the appointment process

In most cases, you have to complain to the Judicial Appointments Commission first, before you come to the Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman.

Make sure you write to the ombudsman within 28 days of getting the final decision about your original complaint.

How to complain to the ombudsman

Fill in the JACO appointment complaint form.

You can return this by email to headofoffice@judicialombudsman.gov.uk, or send it to:

DX 152380 Westminster 8

After you complain to the ombudsman

We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days.

We may ask you for more details.

You will get a letter or report at the end of the investigation with the ombudsmans decision.

What the ombudsman can decide

The ombudsman can uphold or dismiss your complaint.

If your complaint is upheld, the ombudsman can recommend:

• changes to the appointment process
• other steps to resolve your complaint

The ombudsmans decision is final, and you cannot appeal against it.