THE MOST POPULAR ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE MECHANISM IN THE COMMONWEALTH CARIBBEAN IS THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN. THE OFFICE WAS ESTABLISHED TO ADDRESS THOSE ABUSES WHICH THE ORDINARY COURTS CANNOT ADEQUATELY HANDLE, OR WHICH ARE NOT CONVENIENT FOR RESOLUTION BEFORE THE COURTS. THUS, THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN CAN BE SEEN AS AN ALTERNATIVE OR SUPPLEMENT TO THE COURT SYSTEM. IT IS IN FACT A TOOL TO FACILITATE GOOD GOVERNANCE

WHO IS AN OMBUDSMAN? An ombudsman is a person who acts as a trusted intermediary between an organization and some internal or external constituency while representing not only, but mostly the broad scope of constituent interests. An ombudsman is an official, usually appointed by the government or by parliament, who is charged with representing the interests of the public by investigating and addressing complaints reported by individual citizens. In general, an ombudsman is a state official appointed to provide a check on government activity in the interests of the citizen, and to oversee the investigation of complaints of improper government activity against the citizen

WHAT DOES AN OMBUDSMAN DO? Listen to you Answer your questions Analyze your situation Explain policies and procedures Provide information and advice Explore solutions Help untangle bureaucratic red tape Suggest appropriate referrals Assist you in pursuing a resolution Apprise administration of significant trends Recommend changes in policies and procedures

HERRO BLAIR

POLITICAL OMBUDSMAN The office of the political ombudsman in Jamaica appears to be quite unique in the Caribbean and was born out of the saga of political violence in the country. It is therefore an attempt on the part of both leading parties to appoint a conciliator to help reduce political terror and conflict The role of the Political Ombudsman is to conduct investigations into complaints relating to party political issues and to perform other functions in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The Office of Political Ombudsman was established in 2002.

(ALSO CALLED PUBLIC DEFENDER )

EARL WITTER

PARLIAMENTARY OMBUDSMAN The Office of the Public Defender was created in 2000 by the Public Defender Act 1999, replacing the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman which had existed since The Public Defender (currently Earl Witter) has the typical ombudsman function of investigating and remedying maladministration, with additional jurisdiction to investigate alleged violations of constitutional rights. The office of Public Defender is a commission of the Parliament, established by statute. The Public Defender (Interim) Act, 1999 is mandated to protect and enforce the rights of citizens.

(CONTRACTOR GENERAL) OMBUDSMAN FOR CONTRACTS

GREG CHRISTIE

OMBUDSMAN FOR CONTRACTS CONTRACTOR GENERAL The Contractor-General is an independent, anti-corruption Commission of Parliament. It was established by the Contractor General Act in It is the State's leading institution in the quest to ensure that the public sector procurement process delivers value to the tax-payer, is merit based, is free from corruption, impropriety and irregularity and is transparent, impartial, competitive, fair, efficient and effective. Its primary functions are the monitoring and investigation of the award of Government contracts, licenses and permits. The Contractor-General is appointed by the Governor General, by instrument under the Broad Seal, after consultation with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. In the exercise of his statutory powers, a Contractor-General is not subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority. The current Contractor-General is Greg Christie, a Caribbean and British trained Attorney-at-Law.

(OFFICE OF UTILITIES REGULATION)

AHMAD ZIA MIAN Director general: office of utilities regulation

FUNCTION OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES OMBUDSMAN The public utility ombudsman is also referred to as the office of utilities regulations PUO has the power to intervene in disputes relating to the following government agencies in Jamaica: The National Water Commission; The Jamaica Railroad Cooperation; The Post and Telegraph Department; Air Jamaica Ltd.; The Jamaica Public Service Commission.

COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE PUO Excessive billing Incorrect billing Defective meters Disconnections  Unavailability of services  Inadequate street lighting  Illegal telephone calls  Estimated billing  Lost luggage

GROUP THREE Christal Hay Coleen Pusey Peta-Kay McFarlane Jamar Stoner Shanice Watson