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

Abstract

Abstract: This research analyzes the reasoning in judgments issued by first-level judges in Ecuador, based on the case study of Judgment No. 17204-2020-01639 (post-mortem declaration of common-law marriage). The general objective was to evaluate whether the judicial reasoning in this ruling meets the standards of sufficiency and correctness required by the Ecuadorian Constitution and procedural law. The methodology employed was qualitative, legal-doctrinal, and a case study, applying the EL SER method to decompose the argumentative structure (Structure, Logic, Meaning, Result). Primary sources (judgment and regulations) and secondary sources (doctrine and jurisprudence) were analyzed. The results show that the judgment presents sufficient and correctly articulated reasoning, with coherent evidentiary assessment and appropriate application of the law. However, opportunities for improvement are identified in deepening the analysis of testimonial evidence and in justifying some factual reasoning. As a contribution, the research proposes interpretive criteria to strengthen judicial reasoning in family law proceedings, in order to guarantee greater legal certainty and effective protection of rights.