External reports at a public authority — from intake to resolution
A public authority handles external reports in a process separate from the internal reports of its own employees — with a different legal basis, different deadlines and a different register.
Public sector- 01 Intake
- 02 Jurisdiction assessment
- 03 Acceptance or referral
- 04 Follow-up
- 05 Feedback
- 06 Certificate
Internal versus external reports
| Aspect | Internal | External |
|---|---|---|
| Who receives it | The reporting person’s employer | The competent public authority |
| Legal basis | The organisation’s internal procedure | The Act and the authority’s subject-matter jurisdiction |
| First deadline | Acknowledgement within 7 days | Acknowledgement of receipt, jurisdiction assessment |
| Feedback | Within 3 months | Within 3 months, extendable to 6 |
The path of an external report
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01
Intake
The report reaches the authority through the designated channel and is entered in the register.
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02
Jurisdiction assessment
The authority checks whether the matter falls within its subject-matter jurisdiction.
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03
Acceptance or referral
Referral to the competent authority happens within 14 days, with confirmation for the reporting person.
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04
Follow-up
The investigation is conducted under the authority’s own procedure.
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05
Feedback
Within 3 months, extendable to 6 in complex matters.
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06
Certificate
The reporting person requests a certificate of having made a report; the authority issues it or refuses with reasons — either way it is recorded in the register.
Questions we hear most often
How does an external report differ from an internal one?
An external report goes straight to the competent public authority, on a separate legal basis and into a separate register.
Do you have to report internally first?
No. A reporting person may go directly to the competent authority with an external report.
What happens when the authority is not competent?
The matter is referred to the competent authority within 14 days, with confirmation for the reporting person and an entry in the register.
Does the system issue the certificate of report?
Yes. The request reaches the authority’s panel, and issuing it — or refusing with reasons — is recorded in the register of external reports.
Talk to us about the Public module
A public authority handles external reports in a process separate from the internal reports of its own employees — with a different legal basis, different deadlines and a different register.