100 ANNUAL REPORT 2014 CASES CONCLUDED 54.3% 11.3% Finally rejected3 2014 Total cases 4,994 49.0% Substantively investigated1 34.4% Temporarily rejected2 15.5% Finally rejected3 2013 Total cases 5,236 47.0% Substantively investigated1 35.5% Temporarily rejected2 16.0% Finally rejected3 2012 Total cases 4,297 Substantively investigated1 37.0% Temporarily rejected2 1) In general, a substantive investigation is carried out on the basis of a consultation, where the authorities are given the opportunity to make a statement to the Ombudsman about the case. Cases opened by the Ombudsman on his own initiative, monitoring cases, etc. are also classified as substantively investigated cases, as are cases reopened by the authorities following a request from the Ombudsman for a statement (30 cases in 2014). If it is unlikely that a complaint will result in criticism or recommendations, the Ombudsman may subject it to what is referred to as a shortened substantive investigation, where he does not obtain statements from the authorities. The category of cases subjected to a shortened substantive investigation includes cases opened by the Ombudsman on his own initiative which he closes without making an actual statement, for instance on the basis of the replies which he receives from the authorities. Cases subjected to a shortened substantive investigation (totalling 208 in 2014) are governed by section 16(2) and section 17(1) of the Ombudsman Act. 2) The Ombudsman is not permitted to enter a case until all administrative complaint/appeal options have been exhausted (section 14 of the Ombudsman Act). In cases where there are still complaint/appeal options available in the administrative system, the Ombudsman will either forward the case to the relevant authority or authorities or ask the complainant to use his or her complaint/appeal options in the administrative system. The Ombudsman also forwards cases to authorities for other reasons. 61 per cent of cases which were rejected temporarily in 2014 were forwarded (for various reasons) to the relevant authorities by the Ombudsman. 3) The table on page 109 contains details of the grounds on which cases were rejected in 2014.