ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the four organs of control in the EU: the Court of Justice; the Court of Auditors; the European Ombudsman; and the European Anti-fraud Office, or the European anti-fraud office (OLAF). OLAF's investigations concern mainly cases of fraud and of professional misconduct. The European Ombudsman was established by the Maastricht Treaty in an effort to increase the democratic guarantees offered by the EU. Since the 1960s, the Court has played a fundamental role in the integration process and is a key player in functioning of the EU. The Court of Justice of the European Union includes the Court of Justice itself, the General Court and the specialized courts. The Court of Auditors is responsible for the external audit of the general EU budget as well as for some financial transactions such as aid to developing countries. The European Ombudsman was established by the Maastricht Treaty in an effort to increase the democratic guarantees offered by the EU.
