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

Abstract

Abstract: This study analyzes the reasoning provided in judgments issued by trial-level judges in Ecuador, using child support case No. 21332-2022-XXXXX as a reference to assess compliance with the standards for sufficient legal reasoning established in the Constitution and case law. An analytical method is employed to examine the judgment by reviewing the facts cited and the legal provisions applied by the judge and other parties to the proceedings, while scrutinizing how the judge justifies the decision. Several shortcomings were identified for instance, regarding the explanation of how evidence was weighed when determining the child support amount yet the judgment is also shown to possess a sufficient legal and factual basis. Thus, while the judgment partially meets constitutional requirements, it exhibits limitations that affect the clarity of the judicial reasoning without, however, rendering the decision void. This work contributes to an understanding of the importance of providing adequate reasoning for judicial decisions.