26 Feb 2021
FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPLAINTS LTD v CHIEF OMBUDSMAN [2021] NZHC 307
- Citation
- [2021] 2 NZLR 475
- Court
- High Court
The Chief Ombudsman's 20 June 2019 decision was quashed because, on the evidence as a whole, he had predetermined the outcome: his contemporaneous emails to the Speaker during active reconsideration demonstrated a closed mind and intent to delay finalisation pending parliamentary action, and his failure to take steps to secure a savings provision for FSCL reinforced predetermination; accordingly the decision was unlawful and must be set aside and the matter remitted for fresh reconsideration by an Ombudsman other than the Chief Ombudsman or under appropriate delegation.