BackThe 3rd Issue of the IOI’s Best Practice Paper series will look into the topic of so-called “own initiative investigations”. Own initiative investigations enable an Ombudsman to commence an investigation without having received a specific complaint, which is usually how Ombudsman investigations are commenced.
The power to conduct own initiative investigation is now a characteristic of the majority of Ombudsman schemes. However, the use of this power varies considerably between Ombudsman schemes. Within some jurisdictions it is used quite frequently, while in others it is used far less often and considered a power required only for “special” situations. Many Ombudsman offices also conduct systemic investigations, which look at the root causes that give rise to a significant number of individual complaints. Most, though not all, own initiative investigations therefore also have a systemic component.
Issue 3 of the Best Practice Paper series will be officially launched by IOI President Peter Tyndall at an IOI Conference on Own Initiative Investigations, which will be hosted by the Office of Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman (NIPSO) Marie Anderson and held in Belfast on 22 and 23 October 2018.
The conference will bring together IOI colleagues to exchange best practices and expertise and will enable participants to hear from distinguished speakers and renowned international practitioners in the field of own initiative investigations.
“I am pleased and privileged to support the launch of the IOI’s Best Practice Paper on Own initiative investigations which is of such significance to Ombudsmen who have, or seek, the own motion power”, said Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman Marie Anderson.
For more information on the Belfast Conference, please consult the draft conference programme (see PDF file further down below).
