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Types of complaint

TYPES OF COMPLAINT 

COMPETITION  STAGE

WHAT CAN BE CONTESTED?

WHO TOOK THE CONTESTED DECISION?

PROCEDURE

ACTORS INVOLVED (WHO PROCESSES? / WHO DECIDES?)

OUTCOME

NEUTRALISATION

Computer-based multiple-choice tests (CBT)

Content of the Computer-based multiple-choice test(s) (CBT) question(s)

Selection Board (it approves test content)
 

Request to be sent to EPSO within 3 calendar days of the date of the computer-based tests

Review process done by Selection Board

/

Decision taken by Selection Board

In case of neutralisation of a question, redistribution of points  among remaining questions.

REQUEST FOR REVIEW

Admission

Decision not to admit you to the competition

Selection Board

Request to be sent to EPSO within 10 calendar days from the date of the decision published in your EPSO account

Review process done by Selection Board
/
Decision taken by Selection Board

In cases of readmission, candidates are reintegrated at the step of the competition where they were excluded.

Talent screener (TS)

Decision establishing your TS results

Preliminary test

Decision establishing your test results

Assessment Centre

Decision establishing your test results

ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT (ART90 (2))

Any

Decision which negatively affects your legal status as a candidate

Selection Board or Appointing Authority

Administrative complaint to be sent to the Appointing Authority (i.e. Director of EPSO) within three months from the notification of the decision you wish to contest

Complaint dealt with by EPSO's legal sector, if necessary in collaboration with the Selection Board or other actors concerned

/

Decision taken by the Appointing Authority

A Selection Board's decision cannot be annulled or amended by the Appointing Authority following an administrative complaint. However, if the Director of EPSO finds a procedural mistake or a manifest error of assessment, the case will be referred back to the Selection Board for re-assessment.

JUDICIAL APPEALS

Any

Decision which negatively affects your legal status as a candidate

Selection Board or Appointing authority

Appeal to be sent to the European Union General Court within three months and ten days from the notification of the decision you wish to contest

Appeal dealt with by EPSO's legal sector in collaboration with the Commission's legal service

/

Decision taken by the General Court

A challenged decision can be annulled but not amended by the General Court.

COMPLAINT TO THE EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN

Any

Suspected maladministration

Not applicable

Complaint must be sent directly to the European Ombudsman within two years of the date on which the facts on which it is based came to the attention of the person lodging the complaint

Complaint dealt with by EPSO's legal sector in collaboration with the Ombudsman's services

/

Recommendations made by the Ombudsman

The Ombudsman makes recommendations with a view to putting an end to suspected maladministration.

TECHNICAL COMPLAINT

Any

Technical error / organisational problem

Not applicable

See the notice of competition

EPSO

Selection Board is informed of the decision taken by EPSO (i.e. repetition of tests, etc.).