Alternatively, you can complain directly to the Treasury Solicitor, Paul Jenkins.

Our Postal Address is:
The Treasury Solicitor’s Department
One Kemble Street
London WC2B 4TS

If you are still unhappy after the Department’s reply to your complaint and you feel that you have sustained injustice as a result of maladministration, you may wish to consider an approach to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (the Ombudsman), who investigates complaints made by members of the public about government departments and other bodies. To do this, you will need to make your complaint in writing to an MP who can refer it to the Ombudsman, with your consent, with a request that an investigation be conducted.

There are some complaints on which the Ombudsman does not have jurisdiction to investigate. For example:

	The investigation of crime, judges’ decisions or matters relating to national security.
	Staff issues – such as recruitment, pay and discipline.
	Commercial or contractual issues, except where they involve the compulsory purchase of land.

In other cases, there may be another more appropriate organisation to deal with your complaint, for example for some complaints the only or best way for you to get the remedy you want may be through going to court or to a tribunal.

We recommend you call the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Helpline 0845 015 4033 to check that they can help with your complaint and for advice on filling in your form.

The “Crossman” list, examples quoted in 1966 by the late Richard Crossman as Leader of the House of Commons when the Parliamentary Commissioner Bill was being taken through Parliament, gives:
“Bias, neglect, inattention, delay, incompetence, ineptitude, turpitude, arbitrariness and so on”.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration’s latest guidance states: Generally, "maladministration" means poor administration or the wrong application of rules.

Some examples include:

	avoidable delay
	faulty procedures or failing to follow correct procedures
	not telling you about any rights of appeal you have
	unfairness, bias or prejudice
	giving advice which is misleading or inadequate
	refusing to answer reasonable questions
	discourtesy, and failure to apologise properly for errors
	mistakes in handling your claims
	not offering an adequate remedy where one is due.

NB: Neither of these lists is intended to be a comprehensive definition of
maladministration.

In relation to proceedings in the Administrative Court (such as judicial review claims under Part 54 of the Civil Procedure Rules) the Treasury Solicitor will also accept service on behalf of those Ministers and office holders whose responsibilities match those of the Departments for whom the Treasury Solicitor acts under the list mentioned above.

Litigants and their solicitors are strongly advised to serve on the Treasury Solicitor in such cases as this avoids difficulties including (if relevant) those associated with the need for personal service on the defendant. Similarly, where the responsibilities of the defendant match those of a Department for whom a departmental solicitor would act under the list mentioned above, service should be on that solicitor.

Service of process by e-mail or fax is subject to prior arrangement through Hugh Giles Head of Litigation and Employment Group