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Public Administration vocabulary · Transparency, Audit and Ethics

Ombudsman

Meaning in public administration, with examples

/ˈɒmbʊdzmən/nounCommon term

In public administration, ombudsman means: An independent official who investigates complaints from citizens about unfair treatment or poor service by public bodies and recommends ways to put things right.

In Turkish: kamu denetçisi, ombudsman

How it is used

The word comes from Swedish. People complain to the ombudsman or refer a case to them; the ombudsman investigates and issues findings or recommendations, which are usually not legally binding. Turkey's institution is the Ombudsman Institution (Kamu Denetçiliği Kurumu).

Example sentences

  1. If you are unhappy with the ministry's reply, you can take your complaint to the ombudsman.

  2. The ombudsman found that the agency had delayed the pension decision without good reason.

Common collocations

  • complain to the ombudsman
  • ombudsman's report
  • ombudsman investigation
  • local government ombudsman
  • accountabilityThe duty of public bodies and officials to explain and justify their decisions and use of resources, and to accept responsibility, including sanctions, when things go wrong.
  • appealA formal request to a higher authority or a court to review and change an official decision, such as a refused permit, a fine or an exam result.
  • transparencyThe principle that public bodies should act openly, so that citizens can see how decisions are made, how money is spent and who is responsible.
  • administrative lawThe branch of law that governs how public bodies are organized, how they make decisions and how citizens can challenge those decisions in court.

More terms: Transparency, Audit and Ethics

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