Artificial intelligence (AI) can help you to organise your thoughts and create clear, concise text in correspondence. However, complaints are most effective when they are based on your own experience and in your own words.
Sometimes AI can overcomplicate wording or make it too long. It can also use legal language which is not relevant or correct.
If using AI, you must remember to:
- stick to the facts
- use your own experience
- avoid legal wording
- check through your complaint carefully
- remove anything which is inaccurate.
Think about what has happened such as when it occurred, who was involved, how you've been affected and what outcome you would like.
If you are going to use AI, these details will help you to produce a more accurate complaint based on the facts.
Protect your information
Only provide information that is necessary to explain your complaint. Do not include personal details in AI tools, such as:
- names
- addresses
- bank details
- personal information about other people.
Use placeholders such as “the officer” or “my relative” instead.
Only add your personal details when you submit your complaint through our online form.
Example prompt
When using AI, ask it to:
- keep the complaint to a reasonable length
- focus on the key facts
- remove repetition
- avoid unnecessary detail
- clearly explain the outcome you are seeking.
For example, you could ask:
I want to make a complaint to the council. Please help me write a clear and concise complaint using the information below. Put events in date order, remove repetition and clearly state the outcome I am seeking. Do not add any information that I have not provided. Do not include legal terms.
What makes a good complaint
A good complaint:
- explains what happened
- includes relevant dates and facts
- describes the impact on you
- states what outcome you would like
- remains polite and factual.
Complaints that are focused and evidence-based are usually easier to investigate and respond to.
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