116 | Annual Report 2019 What was the outcome of the cases? Cases concluded in 2019 – by authority etc. Concluded cases 1. Investigations Full investigations – of which cases with criticism, formal or informal recommendations etc. Shortened investigations1 Investigations, total 187 105 638 825 2. Other forms of processing and assistance to citizens Various forms of intervention in cases where the avenues of processing by authorities had not been exhausted – of which cases forwarded to authorities The Ombudsman’s review of the cases did not result in further investigation Answers to enquiries, guidance etc. Other forms of processing and assistance to citizens, total 2,162 1,277 1,177 432 3,771 3. Rejections for formal reasons Complaints which had been submitted too late to the Ombudsman Cases where the complaint/appeal options to authorities had not been used – and could no longer be used 103 38 Cases which related to courts, judges or matters on which a court had made or could be expected to make a decision – and which were thus outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction 149 Cases which concerned matters relating to Parliament, including legislative issues, and were thus outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction 82 Complaints which related to other matters outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction, including private legal matters 303 Complaints which were not clarified sufficiently to enable investigation and complaints which were withdrawn 267 Cases in which the Ombudsman declared himself disqualified Anonymous approaches Rejections for formal reasons, total 10 26 978 Total (1-3) 1) Shortened investigations comprise primarily cases in which the Ombudsman reviewed a complaint but decided not to obtain statements from the authorities because it was unlikely that a full investigation would result in criticism or recommendations. The category of shortened investigations also includes, among others, cases which were reopened by the authorities after the Ombudsman asked them for a statement (19 cases in 2019). 5,574