The Principle of Reasonableness in Global Administrative Law

Jean Monnet Working Paper Series, JMWP 12/13

47 Pages Posted: 10 Nov 2016

See all articles by Jan Wouters

Jan Wouters

KU Leuven - Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies

Sanderijn Duquet

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven - Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies

Date Written: November 10, 2013

Abstract

In both national civil and common law systems the principle of reasonableness is known as a standard of judicial review for administrative acts. The present paper examines whether also at the European and international level a principle of reasonableness is used as a standard against which (quasi-) judicial bodies scrutinize administrative acts. It is argued that the common understanding exists that reasonableness serves as an important guiding principle in order to find agreement between the views of a multitude of actors, whether formally participating or not, in global arenas. Based on an analysis of cases before EU courts, the WTO Dispute Settlement Body, the ILO Administrative Tribunal and the UN Dispute Tribunal, it is submitted that although current European and international legal practice does not offer a single formula or test, the open-endedness of reasonableness makes it fit for use as a standard of judicial review at different layers of governance.

Suggested Citation

Wouters, Jan and Duquet, Sanderijn, The Principle of Reasonableness in Global Administrative Law (November 10, 2013). Jean Monnet Working Paper Series, JMWP 12/13, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2867419 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2867419

Jan Wouters (Contact Author)

KU Leuven - Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies ( email )

House De Dorlodot - Deberiotstraat 34
Leuven, B-3000
Belgium

HOME PAGE: http://www.globalgovernancestudies.eu

Sanderijn Duquet

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven - Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies ( email )

Deberiotstraat 34
Leuven, 3000
Belgium

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