Glossary
Veřejný ochránce práv
Pronounced verzh-nyee okh-ran-tseh prahv
In one line
The Public Defender of Rights — an independent body that investigates complaints about public authorities.
Where you meet it
It is the place to complain when an office is unresponsive, slow, discriminatory, or acts unlawfully.
The fuller explanation
The Ombudsman can look into conduct by ministries, municipalities in their public-law role, the social security administration, and similar bodies. It is not a court: it cannot overturn decisions, act as an appeals body, or intervene in ordinary private disputes such as most landlord-tenant cases. The major exception is discrimination, including in housing, which is one of its core areas. Complaints are free and can be submitted in English by post, email, or online. The office is based in Brno but covers the whole country.
Related
Official information
- Public Defender of Rights — English pagesOfficial source
Last checked: 11 September 2026
Explanations are written for orientation, not as legal advice. Last checked 11 September 2026.