i) from the Romanian Constitution, the People's Advocate is appointed in the joint sitting of the two Chambers of Parliament for a term of 5 years for the defense of fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals, with the possibility of renewing the mandate only once.
During his term of office, the People's Advocate cannot perform any other public or private function, except that of teaching staff in higher education.
In these reports, the lawyer of the people can also make recommendations about legislation or taking measures to protect public freedoms.
The following general features of the institution are identified: • the purpose of protecting fundamental rights and freedoms • independence from other state authorities • referral both ex officio and on request • Various means of action (as a common feature, the Ombudsman cannot cancel or modify controlled acts) In the Ombudsman's institution, we know a typological diversity resulting from the following classification: public, private, unipersonal, pluripersonally, multipurpose or specialized ombudsman at national, regional or local level.
In addition to the general jurisdiction to deal with requests addressed to it, the People's Advocate has a number of special powers.
Firstly, the recommendations are the legal acts by which this institution exercises its tasks in dealing with petitioners and public administration authorities.
Through these acts, the People's Advocate notifies the public authority about the illegality of the administrative acts or deeds, or informs the Parliament, the presidents of the two Chambers or the Prime Minister about his proposals for improving or amending or supplementing the legislation, as well as any other necessary measures the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Secondly, the reports are those legal acts presented by the Ombudsman annually or occasionally, ex officio or at the request of the Parliament.
An annual report contains references to the activity of the institution per calendar year and is presented to the two Chambers in a joint meeting.
In 2010, the People's Advocate awarded 17,470 audiences, registered 8,895 petitions claiming violation of some citizens' rights and freedoms and was contacted by telephone by the beneficiaries 6,928 times.
As a result of these complaints, the institution carried out 18 investigations and issued a recommendation, these being the two "institution-specific intervention means", according to the law.
The institution also has branch offices in 14 regional centres (Alba Iulia, Bacău, Braşov, Constanţa, Cluj-Napoca, Craiova, Galaţi, Iaşi, Oradea, Piteşti, Ploieşti, Suceava, Târgu-Mureş, and Timișoara).