How to Complain

HOW TO MAKE A COMPLAINT TO THE STANDARDS COMMISSION FOR SCOTLAND

This leaflet explains how to make a complaint about alleged misconduct by Councillors or Members of Devolved Public Bodies in Scotland.

We explain:

who we are and what we do,
who you can complain about,
what is covered by the term misconduct,
how to submit a complaint and what happens next.

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

The Standards Commission is an independent body set up by the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000. The Commission encourages high ethical standards in public life through the promotion and enforcement of Codes of Conduct for Councillors and Members of Devolved Public Bodies.

Complaints about misconduct by Councillors and Members of Devolved Public Bodies are investigated by the Chief Investigating Officer ("CIO") who reports to the Commission. On receipt of the CIO's report the Commission may decide to:-

take no further action; or
direct the CIO to carry out further investigations; or
hold a Hearing.

If you would like to know more about the Commission, please look up our website or contact us by phone, email or post. Click here for contact details.

Download Acrobat complaint form or full leaflet.

For a Word version of the form click here. When you have completed the form please print the document and sign it before posting the document to the Office of Investigations.

General information about who you may be able to direct your complaint to, should the public authority you wish to complain about be outwith the remit of the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc (Scotland) Act, can be found in a Routemap booklet published by Audit Scotland on behalf of Scottish complaints handling authorities. Although the information in the booklet is not a definitive guide, it should help you to find the most likely agency which may be able to assist you with your complaint. Contact details of the complaints authorities can be found within the pages entitled "Where to contact other Ombudsmen and Agencies". Please note that the Standards Commission does not guarantee that the other complaint authority will be able to consider or investigate your complaint.

Download Routemap booklet (Acrobat pdf 289Kb)