The European Ombudsman's remedial powers: An empirical analysis in context

Abstract

Notwithstanding the ever increasing influence of the European Ombudsman upon the administrative worldview of the EU bureaucracy and despite the resulting growth of literature on his functions and mission, there seems to be disproportionally limited reflection of the intricacies related to the workings of his remedial machinery. An informed appraisal of the European Ombudsman's role in the institutional universe of the Union requires, however, adequate understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of his remedial apparatus and appreciation of the delicate institutional context within which he operates. The central concern of this article is to discuss the most prominent and pivotal aspects of the European Ombudsman's remedial scheme through a concise empirical analysis. The findings will provide useful guidance to the Ombudsman's remedial performance thus far.