20261001 ECB Legal Conference Panel 6: Non judicial review: Central Banks, auditors and ombudsman

Panel 6 Non-judicial review: Central banks, auditors and ombudsman This panel examines the relationship between central banks and mechanisms of non-judicial review, focusing on auditors and ombudsman institutions. Cooperation with such institutions raises structurally sensitive questions at the intersection of independence, accountability, and control. Key issues include the scope and limits of audit and ombudsman mandates, the distinction between legality, performance, and maladministration review, and the constraints imposed by professional secrecy and market-sensitive information. How can meaningful oversight be exercised without encroaching upon central bank independence? The discussion will also explore how these mechanisms operate beyond traditional monetary policy, notably in areas such as banking supervision, and how they interact across levels of governance. Particular attention will be given to the roles of the European Court of Auditors, national supreme audit institutions, and the European Ombudsman, including potential overlaps and complementarities. Chair: Boris Vujčić, Vice-President, European Central Bank Panellists: Menelaos Markakis, Associate Professor, Erasmus University Rotterdam Jennifer King, Legal expert, European Ombudsman Paola Chirulli, Professor, Universitá di Roma Sapienza