The important mission of the Defender of the People, who has the status of a high commissioner of the Cortes Generales, is enshrined in the Constitution itself, which empowers him to oversee the activity of the Administration, powers which are extensively developed in the Organic Law of April 6th, 1981. His fact-finding powers, which cover the activities of ministers, administrative authorities and any other person acting in the service of the Public Administrations, define the scope of his investigations.

The legal right of the Defender of the People to lodge unconstitutionality appeals opens up a channel for the intervention of the Constitutional Court in supervising legislative activity. He also has the option of applying for a constitutional guarantees appeal before the same Court.