What options do I have now?

If you have done as much as possible to resolve your complaint using the local authority’s complaints process then you have two further options to consider.

You could ask the Ombudsman to decide if the local authority has behaved lawfully and treated you fairly. If your council has a second stage to their complaints process you may have to follow that first. The Ombudsman may agree to deal with it straight away in some circumstances. For example, if your complaint is very urgent. Or you have tried complaining to your local authority but made no progress.

You could seek legal advice about asking the High Court to decide whether what the local authority has done is lawful (or threaten to, which is often all it takes). This type of court process is called judicial review.

Both are really good options but suit some situations better than others.

• Taking the issue to the Ombudsman is free and sometimes less stressful than going to court. However the process can take quite a long time.

• Unlike the court, the Ombudsman cannot force councils to do what they say. But councils usually do.

• The Ombudsman will investigate the issues. And ask the local authority for more information if they need it. In court it is up to you to provide all the necessary evidence.

• The Ombudsman is more likely to look at the detail and history of your problems than the court.

• A court will usually only step in where it is clear that the local authority has acted unlawfully. They will refuse to deal with the case if they consider there are other options you could try. But if the problem needs solving urgently, then going to court may be the better option for you.

Read legal costs and key legislation.

What else can I do?