A public body treated me unfairly — how do I complain to the ombudsman?
The ombudsman — Επίτροπος Διοικήσεως και Προστασίας Ανθρωπίνων Δικαιωμάτων (22 405500) — investigates how public bodies act: delays, silence, rudeness, lost files, refusal to explain, unequal treatment. It is free, independent, and its reports carry weight. Two conditions in most countries: you complained to the body itself first, and the complaint is within a deadline (often one year). The ombudsman does not overturn decisions — for that, object and appeal (see that page); Νομική Αρωγή (Δικαστήριο) / Παγκύπριος Δικηγορικός Σύλλογος (cyprusbarassociation.org) helps with the legal route; Διοικητικό Δικαστήριο (supremecourt.gov.cy) is the court. Many countries have specialised ombudsmen too (children, patients, financial) — Επίτροπος Διοικήσεως και Προστασίας Ανθρωπίνων Δικαιωμάτων redirects you.
🗣️ What to say
"I complain about [body] concerning [what happened, dates]. I raised this with them on [date] and [no answer / an unsatisfactory answer, attached]. I consider their conduct [unreasonable / unfair / negligent] because [reasons]. I ask you to investigate and to recommend [what]."
🪜 Step by step
- Complain to the body firstIn writing; keep it. The ombudsman will ask for it.
- Within the deadlineUsually a year from the conduct, sometimes less. Later is possible with a reason.
- Complaint to Επίτροπος Διοικήσεως και Προστασίας Ανθρωπίνων ΔικαιωμάτωνOnline form: what happened, what you did, what you want. Attach the correspondence.
- InvestigationThe ombudsman asks the body for its side, may look at the file, and issues findings and recommendations. Months, not weeks.
- Decision itself wrong? Νομική Αρωγή (Δικαστήριο) / Παγκύπριος Δικηγορικός Σύλλογος, Διοικητικό ΔικαστήριοThe legal route runs in parallel and has its own deadline — do not wait for the ombudsman to appeal.
📇 All contacts
❓ Frequently asked
Is the ombudsman's decision binding?
Recommendations are not binding, but public bodies follow the vast majority and parliament publishes those that do not.
Can I complain about the police, a hospital, a school?
Yes, for public services; some have their own complaints bodies first. Επίτροπος Διοικήσεως και Προστασίας Ανθρωπίνων Δικαιωμάτων's site lists which.
Can the ombudsman award compensation?
It can recommend it, and many bodies pay on recommendation. For a right to compensation, the court.
📎 Sources
- Επίτροπος Διοικήσεως και Προστασίας Ανθρωπίνων Δικαιωμάτων →
- Νομική Αρωγή (Δικαστήριο) / Παγκύπριος Δικηγορικός Σύλλογος →
- Διοικητικό Δικαστήριο →
🔎 Common searches
Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.
- “ombudsman complaint Cyprus”
- “complain about government office unfair”
- “ombudsman deadline complaint”
- “public body no answer complaint”
- “maladministration complaint”
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