Any citizen of the Union or any natural or legal person residing or having its registered office in a Member State of the Union may, directly or through a Member of the European Parliament, refer a complaint to the Ombudsman in respect of an instance of maladministration in the activities of Community institutions or bodies, with the exception of the Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance acting in their judicial role.
Féadfaidh gach saoránach den Aontas agus gach duine nádúrtha nó dlítheanach a chónaíonn nó a bhfuil a oifig chláraithe aige i mBallstát den Aontas gearán a chur faoi bhráid an Ombudsman, go díreach nó tri chomhalta de Pharlaimint na hEorpa, maidir le cás drochriaracháin i ngníomhaíochtaí institiúidí nó comhlachtaí Comhphobail, amach ón gCúirt Bhreithiúnais agus ón gCúirt Chéadchéime i bhfeidhmiú a bhfeidhmeanna breithiúnacha dóibh.