Outcomes - Selected Case Summaries
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Delayed response in payment dispute
Early Resolution | 20 September 2023
Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (FED)
A private business owner was involved in a contractual dispute with the Cayman Islands Government over payments the business owner stated they were owed for earlier services provided to the government. The business owner complained to the Ministry of Finance about the matter and had not received any response more than a month after emailing the Ministry.
The complainant made a complaint of non-response with the Ombudsman. According to the Schedule of the Complaints (Maladministration) Act, the Ombudsman is not able to investigate complaints involving pay disputes within government entities, including those complaints made by private contractors. However, in this matter, the complaint involved the government not responding to the complainant for more than a month. Our office informed the complainant that we could review the issue of non-response, to ensure they were provided with an update from the government, but that we would not be able to investigate the substance of the claims regarding non-payment.
After the Ombudsman intervened in the matter, the Ministry provided a written response to the complainant indicating the government would review the entire matter, have the responsive agency compile a report and provide this to the complainant as a response. The complainant agreed this approach was satisfactory and the matter was closed.
As no investigation was conducted, the Ombudsman made no recommendations as a result of the complaint.