Ombudsman Hub

Best for: Banking, credit, insurance, payments and many regulated financial services.

When: Complain to the business first; most complaints can be referred after its final response or once the applicable response period has expired.

Decision/review: Final decisions have legal consequences if accepted. Service complaints are separate; FOS also has an Independent Assessor for eligible service complaints.

Best for: Broadband, mobile, landline and other covered communications providers.

When: For complaints raised from 8 April 2026, the normal ADR wait is six weeks unless deadlock permits earlier referral. Check which ADR scheme the provider belongs to.

Decision/review: A decision can be challenged through the scheme’s stated route. Communications Ombudsman also distinguishes merits challenges from service complaints and Independent Assessor review.

Best for: Communications ADR for providers that belong to the CISAS scheme.

When: Use after the applicable ADR point or deadlock, subject to CISAS eligibility rules.

Decision/review: Follow CISAS rules for adjudication/review. Ofcom is the regulator, not the individual dispute decider.

Best for: Energy suppliers and other covered energy-sector participants.

When: Complain to the supplier/business first. Ofgem says escalation is available after eight weeks or deadlock where eligible.

Decision/review: The Ombudsman can require covered businesses to take remedial action. Ofgem cannot intervene in individual Ombudsman investigations or decisions.

Best for: Many English council services and adult social care complaints.

When: Normally complete the council/provider complaint process first, unless there is unreasonable delay or another recognised reason to approach earlier.

Decision/review: Post-decision review is distinct from a service complaint. LGSCO says review requests should normally identify demonstrably inaccurate relied-on evidence or genuinely new relevant information.

Best for: Complaints about UK government departments and NHS services in England within the types of complaint it can deal with.

When: Use the relevant organisation complaint route first; parliamentary complaints can have particular referral requirements.

Decision/review: PHSO has its own review/service complaint arrangements. Judicial review is a separate public-law remedy, not a merits appeal.

Best for: Service complaints about regulated legal-service providers.

When: Complain to the provider first. It normally has up to eight weeks to respond; separate referral time limits also apply.

Decision/review: Keep service-quality complaints distinct from regulatory reports to the SRA or another legal regulator.

Best for: Social housing management complaints within the Scheme.

When: Use the landlord complaint procedure. The statutory Complaint Handling Code governs how member landlords handle complaints.

Decision/review: Review criteria exist for Ombudsman decisions. There is no unlimited merits appeal; judicial review concerns legality, not a rehearing of the housing dispute.

Best for: Motor-industry disputes with accredited businesses under its Codes.

When: Complain to the business first and check scheme eligibility/time rules.

Decision/review: An accepted Ombudsman decision can bind the accredited business; consumers should read the effect of acceptance and any review rules before deciding.

Best for: Complaints about member property agents and businesses within its terms of reference.

When: Use the business complaint process before referral and check current time limits.

Decision/review: Its terms of reference govern finality, awards and service complaints. It does not replace court rights where a consumer has not accepted a binding outcome.

Best for: Eligible passenger complaints against participating rail service providers.

When: Usually after deadlock or the scheme waiting point. Check the current Rail Ombudsman rules and referral deadline.

Decision/review: The scheme has complaint and service-review arrangements; service complaints are distinct from disagreement with the merits.

Best for: Eligible disputes with member furniture/home-improvement businesses.

When: Use the trader complaint process first and check membership and scheme time limits.

Decision/review: Member businesses are subject to the scheme’s decisions within its terms.

Best for: Complaints and disputes involving occupational/personal pension administration within its statutory remit.

When: Check whether the issue is within TPO jurisdiction and whether internal dispute resolution should be used first.

Decision/review: Pension complaints can involve specialist statutory rules, so check current TPO guidance before choosing the route.

Best for: Final-stage complaints about many devolved public services in Scotland.

When: Normally use the organisation’s complaint process first.

Decision/review: Separate from LGSCO/PHSO; jurisdiction follows the public body and nation involved.

Best for: Public-service complaints in Wales within its statutory remit.

When: Normally complete the body’s complaint process first.

Decision/review: Check current jurisdiction and referral rules for the Welsh public body concerned.

Best for: Public-service complaints in Northern Ireland within its remit.

When: Normally complain to the body first.

Decision/review: Check NIPSO’s current jurisdiction and time limits before referral.