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The Quality Assurance Ombudsman Scheme
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The Quality Assurance Ombudsman scheme was
established because there was obviously a need in
the commercial business sector for an independent
body to handle complaints about businesses, which
may not be covered by some other regulating body
or Ombudsman Scheme. It provides both a means of
redress for justified complaints, together with
some limited protection to organisations within
the Scheme who may suffer from 'professional
complainers'.
As a direct result of member organisations having
set higher standards compared to those of their
competitors, they can gain enhanced public image
and improved levels of customer confidence and
satisfaction. Members of the Quality Assurance
Association sign The Quality Assurance Charter on
being accepted into the scheme. This is a legally
binding document stating that in the event of a
dispute or complaint, the member will agree to
abide by any decisions made. These decisions are
also enforceable in the same way as a judgement of
the courts. This scheme therefore provides much
needed protection for all parties involved without
recourse to expensive and time consuming
litigation. |
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What is an Ombudsman?
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An Ombudsman is someone to whom you can address a
complaint about an organisation or body, if you
feel you have been dealt with unfairly or have
suffered some financial or other loss you would
like investigated. There are 23 Ombudsman schemes
operating in the UK, some of whom are Government
appointed, while others are industry appointed.
The Quality Assurance Ombudsman is a non-statutory
body, similar to the Banking or Insurance
Ombudsman. |
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What can an Ombudsman do?
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Avenues of mediation and conciliation (non-legally
binding) would be thoroughly explored initially to
try and reach a mutually agreeable negotiated
settlement between both parties in the dispute.
Should this prove fruitless, the Ombudsman can
investigate further, and if necessary provide a
determination and/or award by arbitration which is
legally binding on both parties, and enforceable
in the same manner as a judgement of the court. |
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Who is the Quality Assurance Ombudsman?
Dr Ronald
Barham. PHD, FCIArb., FRICS, FASI, MSE (Civ.),
PEng., (UK).
He is a freeman of the City of London, and an
experienced arbitrator who also sits as Chairman
of a statutory Tribunal. He was formerly in
practice as a chartered surveyor and consulting
engineer. He has experience as a consultant to,
and director of, several industrial and commercial
concerns. He is also a member of the arbitration
panels of several professional and governmental
bodies, in many cases dealing with claims of
breach of contract or of professional negligence.
He has also been involved in various professional
and government sponsored scheme for the provision
of support to small businesses. He thus has a full
understanding of the needs and problems of both
client and provider.
The Ombudsman is totally independent of the
members of the Scheme and has full autonomy to
provide a dispute resolution service. |
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You may contact the Ombudsman directly at :-
The Quality Assurance Ombudsman Scheme,
Manchester House Chambers,
18-22 Bridge Street,
Manchester, M3 3BZ.
Tel 0870 901 5581 |
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