The Ombudsman Institution in Small States: The Case of Cyprus

Many small state constitutions provide for the establishment of an ombudsman. In the Cyprus case, the original constitution-makers were preoccupied with other things, and many years were to elapse before provision was made for the appointment of an ombudsman. While the office now plays an important part in the governance of the island, its provision needs to be viewed as part of this small state's preparation to become part of the European Union rather than as an accommodation to small state orthodoxy.