information for businesses covered by the ombudsman service
This section answers a number of frequently-asked questions (FAQs) about:
our rules & powers
ombudsman powers
where does the ombudsman service get its powers from?
the rules
where are the ombudsman rules published?
official documents underpinning the ombudsman service
where can I find information about the official documents underpinning the statutory functions and powers of the ombudsman?
our senior staff
where can I find out about your senior staff and their roles?
our official status
is the ombudsman service a government department?
our relationship with the FSA and the OFT
what information does the ombudsman give to the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and the Office of Fair Trading (OFT)?
who we answer to
who does the ombudsman service answer to?
our jurisdiction over former businesses
why should a sole trader or partner still be covered by the ombudsman after they have ceased trading?
final binding decisions
why does a business have to comply with an ombudsman's decision?
appeals
can I appeal against an ombudsman's decision?
time-bars
why does the 15-year "long-stop" rule not apply, to time-bar complaints to the ombudsman service?