19Preliminary assessment of complaints

19 Preliminary assessment of complaints

(1)  The Ombudsman may conduct a preliminary assessment of a complaint for the purpose of deciding whether to deal with the complaint.

(1A)  [Section 19 Subsection (1A) inserted by No. 29 of 2017, Sched. 1, Applied:05 Sep 2017] If the Ombudsman has conducted a preliminary assessment under subsection (1) , the Ombudsman may resolve the complaint without investigating it if, having regard to the nature and seriousness of the complaint, the Ombudsman believes the complaint may be resolved expeditiously.

(2)  The Ombudsman may decide not to deal with a complaint if satisfied that –

(a) the complaint is frivolous, vexatious, lacking in substance or is not in good faith; or

(b) the subject matter of the complaint is trivial; or

(c) the subject matter of the complaint relates to a matter permitted or required under any law.

(3)  If the Ombudsman declines to deal with a complaint, the Ombudsman is to advise the complainant of the reasons for so declining.