Maladministration

Maladministration” is not defined in legislation but examples of it are given   as follows:
• delay;
• incorrect action or failure to take any action;
• failure to follow procedures or the law
• failure to provide information;
 • inadequate record-keeping;
• failure to investigate;
• failure to reply;
• misleading or inaccurate statements;
• inadequate liaison;
• inadequate consultation;
• broken promises.

For a valid complaint to be made, a complainant must have suffered injustice through maladministration by the authority concerned.

The “injustice” must arise from the fault by the council. Again, the term is not defined in the legislation but some examples of injustice are given on the website, as follows:

• hurt feelings, distress, worry, or inconvenience;
• loss of right or amenity;
• not receiving a service;
• financial loss or unnecessary expense;
• time and trouble in pursuing a justified complaint.

see our first case study on Maladministration