Strasbourg, 25/10/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Ombudsman, Jacob Söderman, has called on the European Commission to adopt general guidelines on compensation for complainants who have suffered maladministration. The Ombudsman's proposal - outlined in a latter to Commission President Romano Prodi - aims to eliminate maladministration in the EU institutions through compensation where this is appropriate. The Ombudsman notes that as far as possible the administration should take measures to ensure that complainants are put in the same position they would have been in if the maladministration had not occurred but where such restitution is not possible, the administration should compensate the complainant for the damage or distress suffered. Financial compensation should be granted, unless there are more appropriate forms of compensation. The Ombudsman made his proposal in the light of experience gained from the complaints he has dealt with since taking up his position in 1995 and with regard to solutions adopted by ombudsmen in other countries, such as the UK. (The Ombudsman's letter is available on: http: //http://www.euro-ombudsman.eu.int/letters/en/default.htm )