Easy does it: pressing the right buttons in public access to documents of the EU

Abstract This article makes two claims regarding what is relevant in 2022 to the future of Regulation 1049/2001. The first that an about-turn case law Court Justice European Union (CJEU) has partly altered formal scope EU policy concerning public access documents (PAD) from document information (PAI). change affects included digital databases or other held form but not acquis printed-on-paper documents. Second, we observe uncomfortable stasis currently affecting both judiciary and Ombudsman. On one hand, remains imprisoned, without alternative, within bounds insufficient remedial depth, i.e., action for annulment. Conversely, Ombudsman’s role, classical recommendations have proved drive policy. Interestingly, reaction suggestions binding powers be considered Ombudsman, even current head this institution demurs. Such a proposal carries inherent serious risk cognitive dissonance between framework national frameworks.