Consumer Help guide

Escalate a complaint to an ombudsman or ADR scheme

Take an unresolved complaint to the right ombudsman or alternative dispute resolution scheme, with a clear case file that is ready to be reviewed.

Estimated time: 45–90 minutesUpdated: 28 September 2026

Use this guide when you have already complained to a business and it has refused, ignored you or offered something you think is unfair. Have your complaint letters, the business's replies and any final response letter ready.

Step by step

  1. Complete the firm's complaints process

    Ombudsmen and ADR schemes usually only take a case once the business has had a fair chance to put things right. Ask the business for its formal complaints procedure and a final response letter. If it does not respond within a set period, you can usually escalate anyway; the scheme's rules say how long you must wait.

Members

The rest of this guide is for members

This guide continues with 4 more sections. Unlock this guide and all 207 ABCDayZ guides with checklists, troubleshooting and next steps.

£3.99 for 1 month or £29 for 12 months. One payment, no automatic renewal.

Unlock all guides

Already a member on another device? Open your personal access link. Bought Programming with AI? Your first month is included.