s 340I Procedure on Ombudsman investigations
(1) It is for the Service Complaints Ombudsman to determine— (a) whether to begin, continue or discontinue an investigation; (b) whether to investigate a service complaint, or an allegation, as a whole or only in particular respects. (2) The Secretary of State may make regulations about the procedure to be followed in an investigation. (3) Subject to subsection (2), the procedure for carrying out an investigation is to be such as the Ombudsman considers appropriate in the circumstances. (4) In particular, the Ombudsman may make such inquiries as the Ombudsman considers appropriate. (5) The Secretary of State may by regulations— (a) impose time limits for the taking by the Ombudsman or the complainant of any step specified in the regulations; (b) specify circumstances in which a time limit does not apply. (6) Where— (a) the Ombudsman carries out an investigation under section 340H(1)(b) in connection with the handling of a service complaint, and (b) before the complaint was made, the matter to which it relates was considered in accordance with a process for dealing with matters of that kind, the Ombudsman may for the purposes of the investigation consider any alleged maladministration in connection with that process.