Extend the ombudsman Time Frame from 6 to 15 Years
The Issue
My name is not important, but my experience is. I contacted the legal ombudsman in 2013, retained my postage receipt and thought my complaint was dutifully noted. Sadly, silence was the only response I heard, and I began to feel like my complaint was a waste of time. Fast forward to 2022, I reached out again. The response was chillingly impersonal - no records could be found because it was noted on system. My only other alternative would be a judicial review with a staggering price tag of £3000 - a daunting cost when compared to the free service initially offered by the ombudsman.
The struggle I encountered is not unique. Many ordinary hardworking individuals, just like me and potentially like you, discover their grievances long past the limited time that the ombudsman and companies' insurance policies may cover with complaints after 6 years. It's a number crunching conundrum which can lead to victims being denied the justice they seek due to the time frame. Based on a study by the Civil Justice Council in 2017, only 9% of the general population understand the term "judicial review", revealing the vital role of the ombudsman. The six-year time bracket not only hampers justice but inadvertently confines it to the financially privileged of customers falling victim to other companies negligence or what ever you complaint may be.
This is why we are calling on policymakers to extend the legal ombudsman’s time frame from 6 years to 15 years. This would provide a fair and equitable opportunity for all community members to have their complaints considered even if they become aware of a complaint procedure 10 years or later It isn't just about my own failed complaint. It is about all the complaints that weren't heard, those failed by a system meant to protect them simply because they missed a deadline they might not have initially known existed.
It's time our stories get heard, it's time the time frames change! Please, support this petition, and let us fight against the injustice that happens because we ran out of time. Justice should not have a time limit as a cold case 30 years when suspect found he still charged. The same for this petition the time frame on when complaint can be handled needs to be extended and all complaints considered for review before 15 year period. Giving more people time to learn there was a complaint that could be made
4
The Issue
My name is not important, but my experience is. I contacted the legal ombudsman in 2013, retained my postage receipt and thought my complaint was dutifully noted. Sadly, silence was the only response I heard, and I began to feel like my complaint was a waste of time. Fast forward to 2022, I reached out again. The response was chillingly impersonal - no records could be found because it was noted on system. My only other alternative would be a judicial review with a staggering price tag of £3000 - a daunting cost when compared to the free service initially offered by the ombudsman.
The struggle I encountered is not unique. Many ordinary hardworking individuals, just like me and potentially like you, discover their grievances long past the limited time that the ombudsman and companies' insurance policies may cover with complaints after 6 years. It's a number crunching conundrum which can lead to victims being denied the justice they seek due to the time frame. Based on a study by the Civil Justice Council in 2017, only 9% of the general population understand the term "judicial review", revealing the vital role of the ombudsman. The six-year time bracket not only hampers justice but inadvertently confines it to the financially privileged of customers falling victim to other companies negligence or what ever you complaint may be.
This is why we are calling on policymakers to extend the legal ombudsman’s time frame from 6 years to 15 years. This would provide a fair and equitable opportunity for all community members to have their complaints considered even if they become aware of a complaint procedure 10 years or later It isn't just about my own failed complaint. It is about all the complaints that weren't heard, those failed by a system meant to protect them simply because they missed a deadline they might not have initially known existed.
It's time our stories get heard, it's time the time frames change! Please, support this petition, and let us fight against the injustice that happens because we ran out of time. Justice should not have a time limit as a cold case 30 years when suspect found he still charged. The same for this petition the time frame on when complaint can be handled needs to be extended and all complaints considered for review before 15 year period. Giving more people time to learn there was a complaint that could be made
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on 15 October 2024