Making a complaint
Anyone who believes they have suffered an injustice through maladministration, or a breach of their human rights, by the Government of Montserrat or a public authority can make a complaint to the Commission.
- Cost
- Free
- Time limit
- Normally within one year
Can the Commission help?
Answer six short questions to see whether your complaint is the kind the Commission looks into. Your answers stay on this page and are not stored or sent.
The questions cover
- Who the complaint is about
- What it is about
- When it happened
- What you have tried already
- Other routes, such as the courts
- Who is complaining
Prefer to talk it through? Call the Secretariat on (664) 491-2195.
It looks like the Commission may be able to help
Your answers suggest your complaint is the kind the Commission considers. The Commission makes the final decision after it has read your complaint, and it may make preliminary inquiries first.
The Commission may be able to help, but read these points first
Some of your answers mean the Commission might decide not to investigate. You can still make a complaint, and the Commission will look at your circumstances.
This may be outside what the Commission can look into
The law does not allow the Commission to investigate some matters. If you are unsure, the Secretariat can talk it through with you before you make a complaint.
This guide is a summary of the Complaints Commission Act and the Commission’s Manual. It is not legal advice and does not decide whether your complaint will be investigated.
Who can make a complaint
Any member of the public can make a complaint, including public servants and people held in custody.
A complaint is normally made by the person affected. If they have died or cannot act for themselves, it can be made by their personal representative, a member of their family or another suitable person. A complaint on behalf of a company or organisation must be authorised by it.
Your name and address are normally needed. The Commission may decide not to investigate an anonymous complaint, although it can choose to consider one.
How to make a complaint
Complaints are made in writing to the Commission, through the Constitution & Commissions Secretariat. Choose whichever way suits you.
What to include
Whichever way you send it, your complaint should say:
- Who you are complaining about
- The details of the complaint
- When the incident happened
- The evidence that supports your complaint
- Your contact details
- Anything you have already done to try to resolve it
Ways to send it
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Complete the form online
The online form follows the official complaint form, section by section, and lets you attach copies of your documents.
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Download the printable form
Fill in the Word version of the form, then email it, post it or hand it in.
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Email the Secretariat
Send your complaint, with copies of your documents, to mni.complaints@gmail.com.
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Post it or hand it in
Constitution & Commissions Secretariat, #1 Farara Plaza, Brades, Montserrat. Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
More about complaints
- 14 steps How complaints are processed What happens from the day your complaint arrives to the follow-up after the report.
- 2013 to 2021 Complaints statistics How many complaints the Commission has received, of what type, and what happened to them.
- 29 answers Questions and answers Time limits, evidence, mediation, reports and what the Commission cannot look into.
- PDF · 20 pages Commission Manual The Commission’s own guide to its purpose, jurisdiction and procedures.