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

Abstract

Abstract: This study analyzes the reasoning behind the judgment issued in case No. 17204-2018-XXXXX, a child support proceeding heard at the Judicial Unit for Family, Women, Children, and Adolescents of the Metropolitan District of Quito. The objective was to verify whether the ruling meets the constitutional requirement set forth in Article 76, numeral 7, letter l) of the 2008 Constitution, which mandates that the judge cite the legal provisions underpinning the decision and explain their relevance to the facts of the case. A qualitative and descriptive approach was adopted, utilizing document analysis and applying the "sufficiency standard" and "correct reasoning" questionnaires outlined in the institutional guidelines. The results indicate that the judgment is supported by sufficient legal and factual grounds to understand the decision, although the assessment of the evidence fails to explain why certain pieces of evidence were decisive. It is concluded that the ruling satisfies the minimum parameters for judicial reasoning, yet the argumentation could be improved to provide greater legal certainty for the parties involved.