Miscellaneous Section 31: Power to issue guidance
96.Section 31(1) gives the Ombudsman power to issue guidance to listed authorities about good administrative practices. This will enable the Ombudsman to set bench marks for listed authorities. The Ombudsman has a further power to issue guidance to listed authorities under section 33(3). Section 31(3) provides that listed authorities are required to have regard to the Ombudsman’s guidance under section 31 when discharging their functions. Listed authorities should not depart from that guidance unless there is good reason to do so. When discharging his/her functions in relation to a complaint under this Act, the Ombudsman can take into account whether or not and to what extent a listed authority has complied with his/her guidance under section 31.