DENMARK

Parliamentary Ombudsman

The Danish Parliamentary Ombudsman is envisaged in the Constitution of 1953. In June 1996 the Parliament adopted the Ombudsman Act and it entered into force in January 1, 1997. According to its provisions the Ombudsman is elected by the Folketing after every general election. If the Ombudsman ceases to enjoy the confidence of the Folketing, it may dismiss him. The applicant must be a law graduate. The Ombudsman engages and dismisses his own staff. The number, salaries and pensions of his staff are fixed in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Folketing. The Ombudsman is not to, except with the consent of the Legal Affairs Committee of the Folketing, hold any office in public or private firms, undertakings or institutions. He is independent in the performance of the Parliament in the discharge of his functions.

The Folketing lays down general rules governing the activities of the Ombudsman. The jurisdiction of the Ombudsman extends to all parts of the public administration, to the Church including, but he does not have the power to monitor the work of the courts of justice.

The Ombudsman submits an annual report on his work to the Folketing and may also submit special reports in matters he considers important.

In Denmark there are two more ombudsman institutions: the Ombudsman of Greenland and the Ombudsman of the Faeroe Islands.

Contact information:
Parliamentary Ombudsman
Address: Gammel Torv 22, 1457 Kobenhavn K
Phone: + 45 33 13 25 12
Fax: + 45 33 13 07 17
E-mail: ombudsmanden@ombudsmanden.dk
Web site: http://www.ombudsmanden.dk