The word ombudsman originated in Swedish and refers to a form of legal representative. The first parliamentary office with an ombudsman was established in Sweden in 1809, largely in response to the ineptitude of King Gustav Adolf, who was forced to abdicate that year. The Swedish people required a legal watchdog independent of the monarchy, and the office of ombudsman was born. Early English language references naturally referred to the Swedish system, but the word would gradually assume importance in the English speaking world.
The United States does not have an ombudsman at national level, but many operate effectively on a state-wide or institutional basis. In the UK, a 1961 report by retired QC and Judge John Whyatt recommended the establishment of a grievance procedure to guard against administrative errors and the violation of basic rights. Six years later the UK established the office of ombudsman, effectively a “people’s referee”, and the role has developed to include investigation into banks, insurance companies, newspapers, local authorities and utilities. While public confidence in these institutions has often wavered, all of them can claim to be fairer and more transparent for the existence of an ombudsman reviewing their activity.
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