Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Act 2015

1 Creation of office of Service Complaints Ombudsman U.K.

(1) After section 365A of the Armed Forces Act 2006 insert—

“Service Complaints Ombudsman U.K.

365B Service Complaints Ombudsman

(1) The office of Service Complaints Ombudsman is established.

(2) The Ombudsman is to be appointed by Her Majesty on the recommendation of the Secretary of State.

(3) A person may not be appointed as the Ombudsman if the person is—

(a) a member of the regular or reserve forces, or

(b) employed in the civil service of the State.

(4) The Ombudsman holds and vacates office in accordance with the terms of his or her appointment.

(5) The Ombudsman may authorise a person working for the Ombudsman to exercise any function of the Ombudsman on his or her behalf.

(6) The Ombudsman is not to be regarded—

(a) as the servant or agent of the Crown, or

(b) as enjoying any status, immunity or privilege of the Crown.”

(2) The office of Service Complaints Commissioner is abolished.

(3) Accordingly, in the Armed Forces Act 2006, omit section 366 and the italic cross-heading immediately preceding it.

Commencement Information

I1 S. 1 in force at 1.1.2016 by S.I. 2015/1957, reg. 2 (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2015/1969)