14Making a complaint

14 Making a complaint (1) The following persons may make a complaint to the Ombudsman about an administrative action taken by or in an authority— (a) a person or body of persons affected by the administrative action (an ***aggrieved person***); or (b) a member of Parliament acting on behalf of an aggrieved person; or (c) if an aggrieved person has died, a person who the Ombudsman considers is suitable to represent the deceased person; or (d) if the Ombudsman considers that an aggrieved person is unable to act for themselves, a person who the Ombudsman considers is suitable to represent the aggrieved person; or (e) any other person if, having regard to all the circumstances, the Ombudsman considers it is appropriate to deal with the complaint. S. 14(1A) inserted by No. 31/2024 s. 83. (1A) For the purposes of subsection (1), administrative action taken by or in an authority includes administrative action that is taken by a person or body (other than an authority or an exempt person or body)— (a) on behalf of an authority; or (b) under a power or function that is conferred on the person or body by an authority; or (c) as a result of instructions given by an authority. S. 14(2) substituted by No. 30/2016 s. 57. (2) If a complaint to the Ombudsman is not made in writing, the Ombudsman may require the complainant to provide a written statement in the form (if any) specified by the Ombudsman— (a) confirming that the complainant wants the Ombudsman to consider the complaint; and (b) specifying the details of the complaint. (3) The Ombudsman may deal with a complaint even if, on the face of it, the complaint does not refer to an administrative action taken by or in an authority if the Ombudsman considers there is a likelihood that the cause for complaint arose from such an action. S. 15 (Heading) substituted by No. 30/2016 s. 58(1). S. 15 substituted by No. 82/2012 s. 229.