Accountability in the EU. The role of the European Ombudsman

Summary:

In the first interdisciplinary work focused on the European Ombudsman, expert observers of EU institutional affairs provide a thorough evaluation of the Ombudsman and its constitutional role, powers, activities and future potential. The book addresses the Ombudsman’s impact on accountability in the EU’s executive branch and offers new suggestions for the further development of the practice of ‘ombuds review’.

The contributions to the discussion within this book come from law, political science, administrative science and economics. Looking at comparative developments in EU law and policy they critically review, from a variety of perspectives and methodologies, the Ombudsman’s role in the review of activity of EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies. They then evaluate this role, and its achievements, against the original objectives for creating an Ombudsman some 20 years ago.

Table of contents:

1. The developing role of the European Ombudsman | Herwig C.H. Hofmann
2. The European Ombudsman: a resilient institution in a turbulent, evolving administrative order | Jarle Trondal & Anchrit Wille
3. 'Monitoring the law and independent from politics'? The relationship between the European Ombudsman and the European Parliament | Christine Neuhold
4. Public awareness of EU rights and the functions of the European Ombudsman: some unpleasant findings | George Tridimas & Takis Tridimas
5. Advancing transparency in the European Union: the role of the European Ombudsman | Dacian C. Dragos & Bogdana Neamtu
6. Discretion and law in the EU administration: where the courts do not enter | Joana Mendes
7. New perspectives for the European Ombudsman opened by the Lisbon Treaty | Roberto Mastroianni
8. The European Ombudsman's role in promoting good governance | Ian Harden
9. From maladministration to good administration: retrospective reflections on a ten-year journey | P. Nikiforos Diamandouros
10. Variations around the O-word: the European Ombudsman from Médiateur to Garante? Some concluding remarks | Jacques Ziller