78 npm annual report 2016 / annex 1 Parliamentary Ombudsman Act 14 March 2002 (197/2002) CHAPTER 1 Oversight of legality Section 1 Subjects of the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s oversight (1) For the purposes of this Act, subjects of oversight shall, in accordance with Section 109 (1) of the Constitution of Finland, be defined as courts of law, other authorities, officials, employees of public bodies and also other parties performing public tasks. (2) In addition, as provided for in Sections 112 and 113 of the Constitution, the Ombudsman shall oversee the legality of the decisions and actions of the Government, the Ministers and the President of the Republic. The provisions set forth below in relation to subjects of oversight apply in so far as appropriate also to the Government, the Ministers and the President of the Republic. Section 2 Complaint (1) A complaint in a matter within the Ombudsman’s remit may be filed by anyone who thinks a subject has acted unlawfully or neglected a duty in the performance of their task. (2) The complaint shall be filed in writing. It shall contain the name and contact particulars of the complainant, as well as the necessary information on the matter to which the complaint relates. Section 3 Investigation of a complaint (20.5.2011/535) (1) The Ombudsman shall investigate a complaint if the matter to which it relates falls within his or her remit and if there is reason to suspect that the subject has acted unlawfully or neglected a duty or if the Ombudsman for another reason takes the view that doing so is warranted. (2) Arising from a complaint made to him or her, the Ombudsman shall take the measures that he or she deems necessary from the perspective of compliance with the law, protection under the law or implementation of fundamental and human rights. Information shall be procured in the matter as deemed necessary by the Ombudsman. (3) The Ombudsman shall not investigate a complaint relating to a matter more than two years old, unless there is a special reason for doing so. (4) The Ombudsman must without delay notify the complainant if no measures are to be taken in a matter by virtue of paragraph 3 or because it is not within the Ombudsman’s remit, it is pending before a competent authority, it is appealable through regular appeal procedures, or for another reason. The Ombudsman can at the same time inform the complainant of the legal remedies available in the matter and give other necessary guidance.