This page tells you what complaints I can investigate and how I will deal with your complaint.

What can I investigate?

I can investigate a complaint only if it –

• is made in writing;
• states your name;
• states your postal or email address (unless you are a Member);
• is about the alleged conduct of a named Member;
• state the acts or omissions of that Member which you say breached the one of the Rules of Conduct;
• in relation to each alleged act or omission is supported by sufficient evidence to satisfy me that (i) the conduct complained of mayhave taken place and (ii) if proved, might amount to a breach of one of these Rules; and
• it is made within six months from the date of the conduct complained of, unless you satisfy me that there was good cause for the delay.

What can’t I investigate?

I cannot investigate complaints about –

• the standard of service and outcomes received from a Member e.g. claims that a Member has not replied to correspondence, or has not done what you asked– the remedy for poor service is through the ballot box;
• anything that took place during a plenary session of the Senedd or in one of its Committees. Complaints about conduct in plenary should be sent   to Llywydd@senedd.wales or by post to Llywydd, Senedd Cymru, Cardiff Bay  CF99 1SN.  Complaints about conduct in a Committee should be sent   to the Clerk of the appropriate Committee whose email and postal address are available at https://senedd.wales/senedd-business/committees/
• the conduct of a Member whilst acting exclusively in their ministerial capacity - complaints about such conduct should be sent by email to FirstMinister@gov.wales or by post to First Minister, 5^th Floor Ty Hywel, Cardiff Bay CF99 1SN;
• the Welsh Government – complaints about such conduct or Welsh Government policies should be sent by email to complaints@gov.walesor by post to Complaints Advice Team, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ.

What happens when I receive your complaint?

Your complaint will be handled in accordance with the Procedure for Dealing with Complaints against Member of the Senedd. All personal data you provide will be processed in accordance with my Privacy Notice.

I will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within two working days and send a copy of it (with your address deleted) and any supporting documentation you provided, to the Member you are complaining about.

My first task will be to decide if your complaint is one that I can investigate.  If it is not, I will tell you why I can’t.   If   I can investigate your complaint, I will tell you and the Member that I have started my investigation of it.

During my investigation it is likely that I will interview you and the Member and any witnesses identified as likely to have relevant evidence.  I will also obtain any relevant documents.

After that, I will consider all the evidence and decide what facts I have found established.  I will send a copy of these facts to you and the Member and give you time to suggest corrections to them.

Once I have dealt with any suggested corrections, I will submit a report to the Standards of Conduct Committee giving my opinion on whether any of the Rules of Conduct have been broken.  The Committee will decide if there has been any breach and, if there has, will recommend to the Senedd the sanction, if any, that should be imposed.  The final decision is for the Senedd.

What is the best way to submit your complaint?

Your complaint must be in writing and may be in Welsh or English.  If that is difficult for you, please contact my office to discuss alternative arrangements.

The best way to submit your complaint is to use the Complaints Form.  You do not have to use it but it will help to ensure that you include all the necessary information.  If you do not use the form you must write to me giving all required information about your complaint. 

There is also a downloadable form available to submit your complaint

Your completed Complaints Form or your letter giving the details of your complaint should be emailed to me at standards.commissioner@senedd.wales or posted to me at Standards Commissioner, Welsh Parliament, Cardiff Bay CF99 1SN

Further Information

I cannot give you advice about whether or not you should make a complaint but if you want further information about the complaints process, or the work of my office or alternative arrangements for submitting your complaint please –

• write to me at Commissioner for Standards,  Welsh Parliament, Cardiff Bay, CF99 1SN;
• email me at Commissioner@senedd.wales; or
• phone my office on 0300 200 6539.