The Maltese Ombudsman

Abstract

In my twenty minute presentation I will start by briefly describing the Ombudsman Institution, bringing out its main features (based on the New Zealand model, first set up in 1995, entrenched in the Constitution in 2007, main amendment being the introduction of the specialised commissioners).

I will then put the following question: how suitable is the Ombudsman remedy to Malta? How well does it work in an evidently litigious culture? How well has the State adapted to and accepted administrative justice? What will it take to foster real change where it matters i.e. within the higher levels of the public administration, their legal counsel, and the political class? Will the right to good administration change this?