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14Mode of complaint

  1. A complaint may be made either orally or in writing.

  2. A complaint made orally shall be reduced to writing as soon as practicable.

  3. A complaint may be made to the Authority, to any Police employee, to an Ombudsman, or, where the complaint is in writing, to a Registrar or Deputy Registrar of the District Court.

  4. Any Ombudsman or Registrar or Deputy Registrar to whom a complaint is made shall forward it to the Authority as soon as practicable.

  5. Notwithstanding any provision in any enactment, where any letter appearing to be written by or on behalf of—

  6. a person in custody on a charge or after conviction of any offence; or
    1. a patient of any hospital within the meaning of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992,—
        1. is addressed to the Authority, the person for the time being in charge of the place or institution where the person is in custody or is a patient shall immediately forward the letter, unopened, to the Authority.

      Notes
      • Section 14(3): amended, on , by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).
      • Section 14(3): amended, on , by section 130(1) of the Policing Act 2008 (2008 No 72).
      • Section 14(5)(b): amended, on , by section 15 of the Independent Police Conduct Authority Amendment Act 2007 (2007 No 38).