Provedor de Justiça
Summary
The Provedor de Justiça (Ombudsman) is established by Lei n.° 7/2006 de 16 de Agosto to guarantee citizens' rights and uphold legality in the actions of public administration. The Ombudsman is appointed by the Assembly of the Republic, requiring a two-thirds vote; this supermajority requirement reflects the intention to ensure cross-party legitimacy. The office is advisory: the Provedor de Justiça investigates complaints and makes recommendations to competent bodies but has no binding decision-making powers. Where investigations reveal presumptive administrative errors, irregularities, or serious violations, the office notifies the Assembly of the Republic, the Attorney General, and the relevant authority. The Ombudsman also reports to the Assembly on activities. In practice, the office has faced delays in appointments and limited institutional capacity.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Legislative appointment |
|---|---|
| Term length | Not specified |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Legislative line item |
| Subpoena power | No |
| Compel testimony | No |
| Records access | Case-by-case |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- Lei n.° 7/2006 de 16 de Agosto (Law of the Ombudsman)
- Citation
- Lei 7/2006 de 16 de Agosto
Jurisdiction scope
All public administration bodies and officials; investigates maladministration, rights violations, and illegalities; makes recommendations to the Assembly of the Republic and competent authorities