Th Principle of Legality and Malfeasance

Alexander López Quiroz

Universidad del Tolima

Purpose: To determine if malfeasance is possible when what has been called judicial precedent by the Constitutional Court of Colombia is not abided by. 

Methodology: Ths article analyzes the existing norms of judicial precedent and, on this basis, whether it is lawful to try a public servant for malfeasance for departing from the doctrine of the high courts.

Viewpoint: Judicial precedent, or judicial legislation, is not legitimate law in Colombia; therefore, no malfeasance is committed when a judge departs from the rulings of the high courts.

Conclusions: According to the principle of legality and through induction, it is possible to demonstrate that the Constitutional Court lacks the functional competence to legislate, and its doing so constitutes malfeasance. Failure to give binding force to the doctrine of the high courts does not constitute malfeasance, as has been affied by the Constitutional Court of Colombia.

Keywords: civil law, common law, judicial precedent, malfeasance
Published
2016-08-22
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https://plu.mx/plum/a/?doi=10.16925/di.v18i24.1521