reasoned decision
A quasi-judicial or administrative authority that decides rights must record reasons. Reasons show that the authority applied its mind, allow the affected person to know why he lost, and make judicial review and appeal possible. The Supreme Court in S.N. Mukherjee treated the duty to give reasons as part of natural justice, unless a statute expressly or by necessary implication excludes it.
Reasons need not be long, but they must be real and intelligible; a bare conclusion (“the explanation is not satisfactory”) is not enough. An appellate authority that confirms an order need not repeat reasons at length, but it must show it considered the grounds of appeal. Reasons cannot be supplied later by an affidavit in court.
Example
The dismissal order merely said the charges were proved, so it was quashed for want of a reasoned decision.
In Indian law
See also
natural justice · audi alteram partem · judicial review
Read more in the study notes
- Reasoned decisions, exceptions to natural justice, effect of breach and Article 136 (Administrative Law)
- Classification of administrative action (Administrative Law)
- Judicial power of the administration: quasi-judicial functions and administrative adjudication (Administrative Law)
- Res judicata and bar to further suit (sections 11 and 12) (Civil Procedure Code and Limitation Act)
- Fire insurance (Insurance Law)
- Law-making: the legislature, the executive and the judiciary (Interpretation of Statutes and Principles of Legislation)