77AInvestigations to be completed within 6 months

### 77A Investigations to be completed within 6 months > [*\[Section 77A Inserted by No. 68 of 2009, s. 34, Applied:01 Oct 2010\]*](/view/html/inforce/2010-10-01/act-2009-068#GS34@EN) > > > (1)  A public body must complete an investigation of a public interest disclosure as soon as practicable, but, in any event, not more than 6 months from the date of the determination that the disclosure is a public interest disclosure, unless it makes a decision not to investigate in accordance with [section 64](#GS64@EN) . > > > (2)  A public body may apply to the Ombudsman for an extension of up to 6 months in which to complete the investigation. > > > (3)  The Ombudsman may grant an extension if he or she considers, having regard to all the matters involved, that reasonable progress has been achieved by the public body. > > > (4)  If the investigation is not completed within the period referred to in [subsection (1)](#GS77A@Gs1@EN) or within any period of extension granted by the Ombudsman, the public body must refer the public interest disclosure to the Ombudsman together with all relevant information within 14 days of the end of that period. > > > (5)  The Ombudsman must complete the investigation referred to him or her under [subsection (4)](#GS77A@Gs4@EN) as soon as practicable after receiving the referral. > > > (6)  If the Ombudsman is unable to complete any investigation referred to him or her under [subsection (4)](#GS77A@Gs4@EN) within 6 months after receiving the referral, the Ombudsman must provide the Joint Committee with a report. > > > (7)  The report referred to in [subsection (6)](#GS77A@Gs6@EN) is to include details of the type of improper conduct that is the subject of the public interest disclosure, details of the progress up to the date of the report and the reasons why the investigation has not been completed, but must not identify the parties to the investigation.