As expected, the number of complaints regarding the penal system has increased. This is a reflection of the initial visits undertaken by the AOB Commissions and reports in the media about the AOB’s new competences as the National Preventive Mechanism. Due to our distribution of tasks and duties, the majority of my investigated cases concerned building and regional planning law. The numerous complaints made it obvious that in this area, theory and Building and regional planning law between theory and practice practice, wishful thinking and reality are often poles apart. The many ways that enforcement of an abatement order can be delayed or frustrated for years drive the affected neighbours to a state of desperation. At the same time, people are expressing the desire for a greater individualisation of the law. The legislators are called upon to enable that all of the personal ideas of the building owner be realised, and this contradicts the equal demands for protection by the State against individual errors. It was an important issue for me to intensify contacts with educational facilities – both schools and universities. After several lectures in schools within the scope of “Political Education” classes, I was invited Intensive cooperation with educational facilities by the Working Group of Professors of Political Education, Law and Economy to speak about the competences of the AOB and to promote increased cooperation. The cooperation with the Medical University of Vienna was especially gratifying. For example, I was able to explore the experience of insurance expert witnesses with participants of a university course on medico-actuarial science. It became clear that the problem areas in the international German-speaking regions are quite comparable. The expansion of competences that was initiated in 2012 has motivated my staff and me to expand our perspective regarding the concerns that people have. 29