substitution of judgment doctrine
substitution-of-judgment doctrine. Administrative law. The standard for reviewing an agency’s decision, by which a court uses its own independent judgment in interpreting laws and administrative regulations — rather than deferring to the agency — when the agency’s interpretation is not instructive or the regulations do not involve matters requiring the agency’s expertise. [Cases: Administrative Law and Procedure 760, 784, 796. C.J.S. Public Administrative Law and Procedure §§ 230, 242, 244.]