Riksdagens ombudsmän
JO
Summary
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Riksdagens ombudsmän (the Parliamentary Ombudsmen, known by the acronym JO) is the world's oldest ombudsman institution, established in 1809 and today governed by lag (1986:765) med instruktion för Riksdagens ombudsmän and the Riksdag Act (Riksdagsordningen).
The institution comprises four Ombudsmen — one Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman (chefsjustitieombudsman) and three Parliamentary Ombudsmen (justitieombudsmän) — all elected by the Riksdag for four-year terms with the possibility of reappointment. Each Ombudsman oversees a defined area of public administration and investigates complaints from individuals, as well as conducting own-motion investigations.
Under the Act, the Ombudsmen have a statutory right of access to all public authority records and may summon and hear witnesses, conferring a practical compel-testimony power. Annual reports are submitted to the Riksdag and made public. The budget is a legislative line item.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Legislative appointment |
|---|---|
| Term length | 4 years |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Legislative line item |
| Subpoena power | No |
| Compel testimony | Yes |
| Records access | Full access |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- Lag med instruktion för Riksdagens ombudsmän
- Citation
- Lag (1986:765) med instruktion för Riksdagens ombudsmän; Riksdagsordningen kap. 8
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
All Swedish public authorities, courts, and officials exercising public power; investigates complaints from individuals about public administration and monitors compliance with laws; does not cover the Riksdag or municipal councils in their legislative capacity
Other ombudsman bodies in Sweden
- Justitiekanslern JK 26/100