1. The European Ombudsman Ricardo Rojas Benlloch

2. General Information Position created by the EU in the Maastrich Treaty in 1992. Ombudsman elected for 5 years by the European Parliament. The term can be renewed

3. Who’s the European Ombudsman? At the moment P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, former national ombudsman of Greece is the actual Ombudsman. He was elected by the European Parliament and has held office since 1 April 2003. The first European Ombudsman was elected byt the Parliament in 1995.

4. Main Function European Ombudsman concentrates on investigating complaints about maladministration in the institutions of the EU. Acts as a consequence of a complaint.Trying to find a friendly solution to a problem. Ej. Stockholm university complains against commission.

5. Limitations of the European Ombudsman The European Ombudsman cannot investigate complaints dealing with: complaints against national, regional or local authorities in the Member States. the activities of national courts or ombudsmen. complaints against businesses or private individuals.

6. Matters of Investigation The Ombudsman investigates cases of maladministration. Some clear examples of maladmisnistration are: administrative irregularities unfairness discrimination abuse of power failure to reply refusal of information unnecessary delay

7. What will the Ombudsman do? Normally the Ombudsman will simply inform of the case to the organism involved and a solution will be found. If the problem is not resolved, the Ombudsdam will try to find a friendly solution by doing several recommendations. If the recomendations are ignored. The Ombudsman may write an especial report to the European Parliament.

8. Examples of intervention of the Ombudsman Stockholm university VS european commision. Small company VS european commision for not paying certain services after 7 reminders.

9. How to complain? Contact: The European Ombudsman 1 Avenue du Président Robert Schuman CS 30403 FR - 67001 Strasbourg Cedex Tel. +33 (0)3 88 17 23 13 Fax +33 (0)3 88 17 90 62 Best way to complain through an electronic complaint form found on the following web page: http://ombudsman.europa.eu/form/en/default.htm http://ombudsman.europa.eu/form/en/default.htm

10. Bibliography Ombudsman homepage: http://ombudsman.europa.eu/home/en/defa ult.htm http://ombudsman.europa.eu/home/en/defa ult.htm Ombudsman annual report 2003 http://ombudsman.europa.eu/report03/pdf/e n/rap03_en.pdf http://ombudsman.europa.eu/report03/pdf/e n/rap03_en.pdf Ombudsman annual report 2006 http://ombudsman.europa.eu/report06/pdf/e n/rap06_en.pdf http://ombudsman.europa.eu/report06/pdf/e n/rap06_en.pdf