The Ombuds Blog: Texas State Bar Considers Ombuds Office

August 14, 2007

Texas State Bar Considers Ombuds Office

A committee appointed by the Texas Supreme Court has concluded its review of the state's lawyer disciplinary system and recommended systemic changes. In its 25-page report, the Grievance Oversight Committee urges, among other things, that the State Bar board establish an ombudsman's office to help complainants with issues related to filing complaints. According to the GOC's report, the ombuds would not report to the disciplinary agency and have the power to "investigate" complaints, but there are few other details. (Texas Lawyer; GOC's 2007 Report, see page 9, § III.B.3.b., and Attachment 1, p. 3.)

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Organizational Ombuds

Organizational Ombuds serve as a confidential, independent, neutral and informal dispute resolution resource for a specific entity. They are accessible to a defined population and can advocate for fairness. These unique characteristics distinguish Organizational Ombuds from Classical Ombuds, mediators, arbitrators, and other alternative dispute resolution professionals. The term "Ombuds" is shorthand for "Ombudsman," "Ombudsperson" and "Ombuds Officer," which also are used widely.

Some other variants include:

Austria -- Ombudsstelle

Brazil -- Ouvidor

Croatia -- pravobranitelji

France -- médiateur/defénseur

Germany -- Ombudspersonen

Italy -- difensore

Netherlands -- ombudspersoon

Norway -- ombudet

Poland -- Rzecznik

Portugal -- provedor

Russia -- омбудсмен

Spain -- ombudsman organizacional

Sweden -- studentombud

Switzerland -- ombudsmann

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