83 Texts of acts Section 7. Right to information The Ombudsman may require public officials and all others engaged in the service of the public administration to provide him with such information as he needs to discharge his duties. As the national preventive mechanism, the Ombudsman has a corresponding right to require information from persons in the service of private institutions such as are mentioned in section 4, first paragraph, second sentence. To the same extent he may require that minutes/records and other documents are produced. The Ombudsman may require the taking of evidence by the courts of law, in accordance with the provisions of section 43, second paragraph, of the Courts of Justice Act. The court hearings are not open to the public. Section 8. Access to premises, places of service, etc The Ombudsman is entitled to access to places of service, offices and other premises of any administrative agency and any enterprise that comes within his sphere of responsibility. Section 9. Access to documents and duty of confidentiality The Ombudsman’s case documents are public. The Ombudsman will make the final decision on whether a document is to be wholly or partially exempt from access. Further rules, including on the right to exempt documents from access, will be provided in the instructions to the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman has a duty of confidentiality as regards information concerning matters of a personal nature to which he becomes party to during the course of his duties. The duty of confidentiality also applies to information concerning operational and commercial secrets, and information that is classified under the Security Act or the Protection Instructions. The duty of confidentiality continues to apply after the Ombudsman has left his position. The same duty of confidentiality applies to his staff and others who provide assistance. Section 10. Completion of the Ombudsman’s procedures in a case The Ombudsman is entitled to express his opinion on matters within his sphere of responsibility. The Ombudsman may call attention to errors that have been committed or negligence that has been shown in the public administration. If he finds sufficient reason for so doing, he may inform the prosecuting authority or appointments authority of what action he believes should be taken in this connection against the official concerned. If the Ombudsman concludes that a decision must be considered invalid or clearly unreasonable or that it clearly conflicts with good administrative practice, he may express this opinion. If the Ombudsman believes that there is reasonable doubt relating to factors of importance in the case, he may make the appropriate administrative agency aware of this. If the Ombudsman finds that there are circumstances that may entail liability to pay compensation, he may, depending on the situation, suggest that compensation should be paid. The Ombudsman may let a case rest when the error has been rectified or with the explanation that has been given. The Ombudsman shall notify the complainant and others involved in a case of the outcome of his handling of the case. He may also notify the superior administrative agency concerned. The Ombudsman himself will decide whether, and if so in what manner, he will inform the public of his handling of a case. As the national preventive mechanism, the Ombudsman may make recommendations with the aim of improving the treatment and the conditions of persons deprived of their liberty and of preventing torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The competent authority shall examine the recommendations and enter into a dialogue with the Ombudsman on possible implementation measures. Section 11. Notification of shortcomings in legislation and in administrative practice If the Ombudsman becomes aware of shortcomings in acts, regulations or administrative practice, he may notify the ministry concerned to this effect. Section 12. Reporting to the Storting The Ombudsman shall submit an annual report on his activities to the Storting. A report shall be prepared on the Ombudsman’s activities as the national preventive mechanism. The reports will be printed and published. The Ombudsman may when he considers it appropriate submit special reports to the Storting and the relevant administrative agency. (Sections 13-15)