The subject of a complaint can be illegal action on the part of an authority.

Examples of illegal activity include

·    exceeding authority or abusing discretionary powers
·    delay in dealing with a matter, inadequate presentation of grounds for a decision, carelessness, failure to advise as well as inappropriate behaviour or other procedure contrary to good governance
·    violations of fundamental rights.

By contrast, the Ombudsman can not investigate

·    a complaint concerning a matter over five years old, unless there are special reasons for doing so
·    a matter which is still before the courts or being dealt with by another authority
·    a matter which is the subject of an appeal or in which it is still possible to make an appeal.