Stortinget has appointed the Parliamentary Ombudsman to safeguard the rights of individuals in their dealings with the public administration. The Ombudsman works to improve the public authorities and helps to ensure that they respect and safeguard human rights.
The Ombudsman’s office is located in Akersgata 8 in Oslo. Around 55 people work at the Ombudsman’s office, 40 of which are legal advisers. The office is divided in to five different specialist departments and one administrative department.
The Ombudsman receive complaints concerning nearly all areas of law in which the public administration operates. The Ombudsman also considers complaints concerning tardy case processing and the public administration’s failure to reply.
Under its prevention mandate, the Parliamentary Ombudsman has a right to visit all facilities where someone is, or could be, deprived of their liberty. This includes public and private institutions and facilities.