How to apply

You do not need to fill in a specific form. A complaint can be submitted to the Public Defender of Rights in writing, verbally into the minutes, using telegram, fax or e-mail. 

Form

Details about how to file a complaint and any other information related to the work of the Ombudsperson can be found at the website or can be obtained directly in the Office. The information materials as well as forms for complaint submission are published also in the languages of national minorities living in Slovakia, i.e. Bulgarian, Czech, Croatian, Hungarian, German, Polish, Romany, Ruthenian and Ukrainian languages. Moreover, basic information about  the powers and activities of the Public Defender of Rights is available also in English, French, Spain, Russian and Arabic.

Language

The working language of the Ombudsperson is Slovak. You are, however, allowed to use your mother tongue, if it is different than Slovak. Expenses for an interpreter will be borne by the state.

Content

In your application you need to explain clearly:

• a matter, to which it relates (what has happened and when)
• a public administration body, against which the complaint is filed (which public authorities or officials were involved) and an action, execution of which the claimant requires
• the application needs to contain your name, signature, date and return address

A complaint, in which the claimant fails to mention his name, surname and address (business name and registered office in the case of a legal entity), is an anonymous complaint. The Public Defender of Rights is not obliged to deal with anonymous complaints. Claimants can ask the Public Defender of Rights to keep their identity confidential.

Your application does not need to be in a legally correct language or refer to any specific legal provisions, but it has to be clear and understandable. Try to write only about the facts and issues relating to the violation about which you are complaining. To help the Ombudsperson better understand what has happened, try to keep the text simple, focused and avoid emotional or derogatory language.

Documents

If you can, please add all the documents (especially complaints you have made and the responses to them) that are related to the situation you are complaining about to your application.

For faster investigation of your complaint it is recommended to submit copies of all documents, which are available to you and confirm your statements.  If you act in a name of another person as his or her assistant, it is necessary to submit a written approval by the person concerned, or a power of attorney covering the case.

Time limits

There is no special period for handling inducements by a Public Defender of Rights according to the law. Inducement will be handled in the sequence, in which they have been delivered. The speed of handling them depends on the number and seriousness thereof.

The speed of settlement depends on the number of the complaints and their complexity.

Address