32Application to Supreme Court

32 Application to Supreme Court

(1)  Where, in the course of, or in contemplation of, an investigation, the question arises as to whether the Ombudsman has jurisdiction to conduct the investigation, the Ombudsman or any interested party may apply to the Supreme Court for a determination of that question, and, on such an application being made, the Court may make such order as it considers appropriate.

(2)  The following persons shall, in relation to any investigation, be regarded as the interested parties –

(a) the public authority by which the action the subject of the investigation is alleged to have been taken;

(b) the principal officer of that authority;

(c) the responsible Minister in relation to that authority;

(d) the person who is alleged to have taken the action the subject of the investigation; and

(e) if the investigation arises or is sought upon a complaint, the complainant.