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

Abstract

Abstract: This paper examines compliance with the constitutional duty to provide a reasoned basis for judgments issued by trial-level judges within the Ecuadorian procedural system. This analysis is grounded in the guarantee of due process, which aims to prevent arbitrariness and deficiencies in judicial reasoning. The study seeks to determine whether first-instance judicial rulings demonstrate appropriate coherence, clarity, and sufficiency of argumentation when a decision is reached in a specific case; this was analyzed using a summary proceeding for the determination of child support (Case No. 11203-2024-01945) as a case study. Unlike rulings that suffer from flaws such as inconsistency or merely superficial reasoning, this case demonstrates a judgment that is orderly, fair, and follows a sound logical structure. The study also observed the determination of the payer's financial capacity through logical reasoning based on documentary and testimonial evidence, confirming that financial flows from bank accounts were correctly broken down in light of family obligations and the burden of proof established by Article 169 of the COGEP. The review concludes that proper reasoning in family and child-related matters is the cornerstone of legal certainty, enabling the parties to understand the factual and legal grounds justifying the exercise of judicial discretion.