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This book explores the work of the European Ombudsman and her or his contribution to holding the EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies to account, through examination of complaints on maladministration, own-initiative inquiries and other proactive efforts. It considers the Ombudsman's current institutional and constitutional position and her or his 'method' of dealing with complaints, and unravels the depth of subject matters that fall under the Ombudsman's remit. A separate chapter focuses on transparency and access to documents. The last part of the book critically reflects upon the present mandate and practice of the Ombudsman, and discusses a number of possible proposals for improvement. This work has interdisciplinary appeal and will engage scholars in law, political science and public administration, as well as EU and national policy-makers.
List of contents
1: Introduction: The office of the European Ombudsman in its third decade of operation.- 2: The institutional and constitutional position of the European Ombudsman.- 3: The link between the role of the European Ombudsman and democracy.- 4: Exploring the European Ombudsman's method: Analysis of cases.- 5: A case-study: Inquiries on transparency and access to documents.- 6: Revisiting the mandate and practice of the European Ombudsman.- 7: Conclusion.
About the author
Nikos Vogiatzis is Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Essex, UK. He was previously a Lecturer in Law at the University of Liverpool, UK; and he holds a PhD in Law from the University of Hull, an LLM in EU Law from ULB, and an LLB from the University of Athens. His research and teaching interests are in selected areas of EU administrative and constitutional law; EU governance (notably questions of participation, transparency and accountability); the role of ombudsman institutions and extra-judicial redress more generally; and the law of the ECHR.
Summary
This book explores the work of the European Ombudsman and her or his contribution to holding the EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies to account, through examination of complaints on maladministration, own-initiative inquiries and other proactive efforts.
Additional text
“‘The work of Nikos Vogiatzis demonstrates … that this field of study is not exhausted. The interest of the book lies not only in its ambition to map out the activities of the Ombudsman but also in the possible perspectives for the evolution of their mandate. Obviously, as the author acknowledges at the outset, it is difficult to evaluate the real contribution of the Ombudsman to the EU’s democratization process, since it is a complex process to appraise. Nonetheless, the book offers avenues for reflection and undoubtedly brings out an overview of the Ombudsman’s contribution, thanks to a study enriched by the empirical work on the Ombudsman’s services that was conducted.’” (Emilie Chevalier, translated from Revue trimestrielle de droit européen, Issue 4, 2019)
“It is gratifying to see yet another valuable academic contribution to the ombudsman scholarship, which in recent decades has grown in sophistication, stature and influence. The book contains useful insight on how the European Ombudsman operates in the legal and institutional context of the EU, and provides a clear and comprehensive picture of his contribution in promoting a more transparent and accountable EU administrative ethos.” (Alexandros Tsadiras, Common Market Law Review, Vol. 56 (2), 2019)
“In this valuable addition to the growing literature on the EO, Nikos Vogiatzis steers a sound methodological course. His analysis of the EO is firmly rooted in the legal and institutional context of the EU, while also taking account of comparative analyses of ombudsman institutions in Europe and globally.” (Ian Harden, European Public Law, Vol. 24 (2), 2018)
Report
"'The work of Nikos Vogiatzis demonstrates ... that this field of study is not exhausted. The interest of the book lies not only in its ambition to map out the activities of the Ombudsman but also in the possible perspectives for the evolution of their mandate. Obviously, as the author acknowledges at the outset, it is difficult to evaluate the real contribution of the Ombudsman to the EU's democratization process, since it is a complex process to appraise. Nonetheless, the book offers avenues for reflection and undoubtedly brings out an overview of the Ombudsman's contribution, thanks to a study enriched by the empirical work on the Ombudsman's services that was conducted.'" (Emilie Chevalier, translated from Revue trimestrielle de droit européen, Issue 4, 2019)
"It is gratifying to see yet another valuable academic contribution to the ombudsman scholarship, which in recent decades has grown in sophistication, stature and influence. The book contains useful insight on how the European Ombudsman operates in the legal and institutional context of the EU, and provides a clear and comprehensive picture of his contribution in promoting a more transparent and accountable EU administrative ethos." (Alexandros Tsadiras, Common Market Law Review, Vol. 56 (2), 2019)
"In this valuable addition to the growing literature on the EO, Nikos Vogiatzis steers a sound methodological course. His analysis of the EO is firmly rooted in the legal and institutional context of the EU, while also taking account of comparative analyses of ombudsman institutions in Europe and globally." (Ian Harden, European Public Law, Vol. 24 (2), 2018)
