The High Court has refused the Charity Commission permission to proceed with its judicial review challenge against the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), in a judgment handed down by Mr Justice Fordham on 6 March 2026 following a 1-day permission hearing. The case concerned the Ombudsman’s findings of maladministration in the Commission’s handling of safeguarding complaints raised by two individuals, Lara Hall and Damian Murray and the Ombudsman’s subsequent decision to lay special reports relating to both cases before Parliament, pursuant to her powers under s.10(3) of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967.
David Manknell KC and Rajkiran Arhestey acted for the Speaker of the House of Commons as this case raised concerns of interference with proceedings in Parliament given the potential that the claim initially had to prevent the Ombudsman from laying special reports before Parliament.
Fordham J found that the claim was academic as the reports had subsequently been laid before Parliament, pursuant to a motion, not s.10(3), and it was unarguable in any event.
The full judgment in Charity Commission for England and Wales v Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman [2026] EWHC 486 (Admin) is availablehere.
