Office of the Chancellor of Justice 

The Chancellor of Justice Tuomas Pöysti has submitted his report for 2024 to the Parliament and the Government.

In 2024, a total of 1987 complaints were filed with the Chancellor of Justice while 2084 complaints were resolved. In the previous year, the Office of the Chancellor of Justice received 1668 complaints and resolved 1862. In 2024, the Chancellor of Justice continued the efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of legality oversight focusing more strongly on structural oversight. A total of 43 in-house initiatives were launched by the Chancellor of Justice in 2024. 

As for the oversight of Government activities, the number of cases increased particularly in the area of legislative projects. In 2024, 138 requests for opinions on legislative proposals were reviewed, 66 opinions were issued and 26 preliminary examinations of legislative proposals were carried out. In the context of ex ante control of government decision-making, of all the cases handled at the Government plenary sessions 1498 cases were examined and at the sessions held with the President of the Republic 400 were examined.  A total of 398 requests for corrections were issued; in other words, an order for rectification was given in 21% of the cases. 73% of the requests for corrections were concerned to legal matters.

The Chancellor of Justice's 2024 report contains a series of thematic articles on key findings and actions in the field of legality oversight as well as documentation describing legal praxis. The article "When is it advisable to request the opinion of the Constitutional Committee on a government proposal and how does the Chancellor of Justice monitor this?" discusses the Chancellor of Justice's ex ante control of legislative projects. In reality, Government proposals have demonstrably been referred to the Constitutional Committee for assessment on rather flimsy grounds, a point to which the Constitutional Committee has repeatedly drawn attention in recent times. 

The Chancellor of Justice will in future adopt a more systematic approach to ex ante control to determine whether it is legally justified and necessary to request that a draft be assessed by the Constitutional Committee. The Government is duty-bound to prepare proposals that are in compliance with the Constitution, international human rights obligations and EU law. In its proposals, the Government must demonstrate that these requirements are met or make a duly substantiated proposal to change the interpretation of the Constitution.

In recent years, court training has been criticized. This theme is addressed to in the article “Judicial training”. Striking a balance between the training needs of apprentice district judges and the efficient organisation of the court's activities is challenging.

In line with established practice, the report also includes articles by the Chancellor of Justice and the Deputy Chancellor of Justice. 

Chancellor of Justice Tuomas Pöysti discusses the demands imposed by digitalisation on legislation. On the one hand, it is advisable to safeguard fundamental rights and good governance through pro-digital legislation; on the other hand, it is important to ensure that the regulatory burden does not become excessive and create unnecessary barriers to innovation and productivity. 

Deputy Chancellor of Justice Mikko Puumalainen examines the independence and role of the supreme guardians of the law. According to the Deputy Chancellor of Justice, it might be appropriate to consider bolstering the independence and autonomy of the legality oversight exercised by the Chancellor of Justice through an amendment to the Constitution.

The annual Report of the Chancellor of Justice for 2024 in FinnishFile opens in a new tabyja-document-link-opens-in-a-new-tab

The annual Report of the Chancellor of Justice for 2024 in SwedishFile opens in a new tabyja-document-link-opens-in-a-new-tab

The annual Report of the Chancellor of Justice for 2024 in English

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Video: The Chancellor of Justice Tuomas Pöysti: Enhancing Productivity and Legal Security with Digitalization-Friendly LegislationLink to an external website, Opens in a new tabyja-external-link-opens-in-a-new-tab

Dopo alcuni mesi di vacatio, la Regione Basilicata ha finalmente un nuovo Difensore Civico: l’Avvocato Rocco Fuina.

Il Coordinamento Nazionale dei Difensori Civici Italiani, esprime le più vive congratulazioni e i migliori auguri di buon lavoro al neo Difensore Civico della Basilicata, certo che saprà interpretare con competenza, equilibrio e spirito di servizio questo ruolo fondamentale a tutela dei diritti dei cittadini e del buon andamento della pubblica amministrazione.

Il ritorno pieno in attività della Difesa Civica lucana rappresenta una buona notizia per l’intero sistema delle garanzie e per i tanti cittadini che, ogni giorno, cercano ascolto, vicinanza e soluzioni concrete nelle istituzioni.

Il Coordinamento sarà da subito disponibile per collaborare con il nuovo Difensore Civico della Basilicata, nella convinzione che la rete nazionale possa rafforzarsi anche grazie alla partecipazione attiva di tutte le Regioni.

Chief Ombudsman Mr. Mehmet Akarca and Ombudsmen Mr. Ertunç Erkan Balta, Ms. Fatma Benli Yalçın, and Mr. Özcan Yıldız paid a visit to the Governor of Ankara, Vasip Şahin.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman, Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon, paid an official visit to the Malta Food Agency (MFA), where he was welcomed by Chief Executive Officer Mr Brian Vella and Chief Business Development Officer Mr Justin John Cammilleri.

In his introduction, Mr Vella outlined the vision of the Agency that of leading quality and valuable local food products to different markets. He explained that the MFA works to add value to local food production by supporting and strengthening the entire value chain — from production, trading, and processing to sales, marketing, and food manufacturing. He emphasised that the Agency places workers, consumers, and producers at the centre of its operations, with a strong focus on governance and transparency.

Judge Zammit McKeon thanked the Agency for the invitation, noting the importance of learning about the crucial behind-the-scenes work of public entities, much of which often goes unnoticed.

The MFA team presented the Ombudsman with the Agency’s strategic initiatives, including empowering producers to respond effectively to market dynamics, strengthen the supply chain, enhance consumer engagement, drive digital innovation, and promote entrepreneurship. The meeting also showcased the Agency’s ongoing projects and its commitment to modernisation and efficiency.

Established in 2021 the agency was created to regulate, strengthen, and support the marketing of food derived from farming and fisheries, while enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of these sectors. The Agency also administers the operations of the Pitkalija and Pixkerija, ensuring transparency, fairness, and traceability. The MFA also plays a strategic role in conducting market-based research, supporting infrastructure and advisory services, and improving the reputation and market access of Maltese produce.

The Ombudsman commended the MFA’s work in boosting the importance of local produce and assisting farmers and fishermen to modernise and become more efficient. He also observed that since the establishment of the agency in 2021, the Office of the Ombudsman has not received any complaints against the Agency, a positive sign of its effectiveness.

The meeting was also attended by Chief Projects Officer Mr Josef Vella, Chief Market Regulation Officer Ms Josephine Xuereb, Chief Corporate Services Officer Mr Silvan Camilleri, as well as Dr Brian Said, Head of Investigations, and Mr Jurgen Cassar, Head of Communications and Research from the Office of the Ombudsman.

El Síndic de Greuges de la Comunitat Valenciana, Ángel Luna, ha emitido una resolución en la que exige a la Conselleria de Servicios Sociales, Igualdad y Vivienda que actúe con urgencia ante la queja de una joven que lleva casi un año intentando restablecer el contacto con su hermana menor, tutelada por la Administración. La falta de respuesta y de información ha vulnerado varios derechos fundamentales, según concluye el defensor del pueblo valenciano.

El caso comenzó en agosto de 2024, cuando una joven de 18 años, que había sido tutelada por la Generalitat durante su infancia y actualmente es independiente económicamente, estudia y trabaja, solicitó formalmente poder visitar a su hermana menor, también bajo tutela de la Administración. Lo hizo apenas seis días después de que se declarara el desamparo legal de la menor. Desde entonces, han pasado once meses sin que la Conselleria de Servicios Sociales, Igualdad y Vivienda haya emitido una resolución al respecto.

Durante este tiempo, la joven ha mostrado un interés constante por mantener el vínculo con su hermana. Fue ella quien denunció ante las autoridades la situación de desprotección en la que se encontraba la menor, permaneció a su lado durante su hospitalización y ha solicitado en varias ocasiones información sobre su estado y la posibilidad de reencontrarse con ella. Sin embargo, la respuesta institucional ha sido lenta y, en muchos momentos, inexistente.

No fue hasta noviembre de 2024 cuando la Dirección Territorial de Valencia accedió a mantener una entrevista con la interesada, y lo hizo únicamente tras la insistencia de esta. En dicha reunión se le planteó la posibilidad de una visita extraordinaria en Navidad, pero nunca se concretó ni se le volvió a informar. La valoración de su solicitud no comenzó hasta febrero de 2025, siete meses después, por parte de los servicios sociales municipales.

El Síndic de Greuges, Ángel Luna, ha sido tajante en su resolución: la Administración ha vulnerado derechos fundamentales de la joven, entre ellos el derecho a una buena administración, el derecho a relacionarse con su hermana y el derecho a obtener una respuesta eficaz por parte del sistema público de servicios sociales. Además, cuestiona que se haya descartado la posibilidad de una adopción abierta —que permitiría mantener el contacto entre las hermanas— sin valorar adecuadamente el impacto emocional de la separación forzada y prolongada.

El informe del Síndic destaca que esta demora ha provocado una ruptura del vínculo entre las hermanas, especialmente grave dado que la menor no había cumplido los seis años. Además, cuestiona si la Administración valoró adecuadamente el impacto emocional de esta separación prolongada. La Conselleria argumenta que no existe un vínculo afectivo significativo, pero el Síndic considera que esta situación ha sido provocada precisamente por la falta de contacto facilitada por la propia Administración.

La resolución también critica la falta de transparencia y de información hacia la interesada, a quien no se ha reconocido como parte legítima en el procedimiento, a pesar de que la decisión de adoptar a su hermana sin contacto alguno afecta directamente a su vínculo familiar. El Síndic recuerda que la ley obliga a las administraciones a dictar resolución expresa en todos los procedimientos y a notificarla en plazo, algo que no se ha cumplido en este caso.

Por todo ello, el defensor del pueblo valenciano ha instado a la Conselleria a resolver de forma urgente la solicitud de visitas, a informar a la joven sobre cualquier medida que afecte a su relación con la menor y a garantizar que pueda ejercer sus derechos sin más dilaciones.

Consulta la resolución completa: https://acortar.link/pVnYSC