The Romanian Ombudsman – A Legal Transplant Moulded by the Domestic Legal Culture

Abstract

Romanian administrative law has undergone transitory challenges, both following the changing of the political regime in 1989 and following the EU accession in 2007. The transplanting of international models of legal institutions has been strenuous at times has been strenuous. This paper showcases the trials and tribulations of a novel institution for the Romanian system: the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman was meant to mediate between the administration and citizens, to issue recommendations, and to foster good administrative practices. Over time, however, its role has been diverted to that of a constitutional mediator between the powers of the state.