Motivación en las sentencias emitidas por los jueces de primer nivel en Ecuador

Abstract

Abstract: This research analyzes the judicial reasoning in judgments issued by first-level judges in Ecuador, taking as a case study the constitutional judgment issued in the proceedings related to the Río Blanco mining project. The objective was to evaluate whether this judgment complies with the constitutional standard of sufficiently correct reasoning, in accordance with Article 76, paragraph 7, subparagraph l) of the Constitution of Ecuador and the jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court. A qualitative methodology was applied, based on the structural analysis of the judgment, the schematization of the arguments, the standard of sufficiency of reasoning, and a questionnaire on correct reasoning. The results show that the judgment presents an adequate selection of legal norms, a coherent articulation between facts, norms, and the decision, as well as comprehensible and legally sound reasoning, which rules out the existence of relevant flaws in reasoning. The study provides academic and practical criteria to strengthen the critical analysis of judicial decisions and reaffirms the importance of reasoning as an essential guarantee of due process and legal certainty in the constitutional state of rights and justice.