Which standard centers on the sufficiency of factual findings in the record?

Which standard centers on the sufficiency of factual findings in the record?

• A. Substantial evidence
• B. Arbitrary and capricious
• C. Skidmore
• D. Auer

Answer: (A)

The sufficiency of factual findings in the record is evaluated under the substantial evidence standard. When a court reviews an agency’s factual determinations, it defers if the record contains substantial evidence—evidence a reasonable person might accept as adequate to support the conclusions. The focus is on whether the facts found by the agency are supported by enough evidence in the whole record; the court does not reweigh competing evidence or substitute its own view of the facts. By contrast, the arbitrary and capricious standard looks at the overall reasonableness and whether the agency considered relevant factors and followed proper procedures. Skidmore deference concerns how persuasive an agency’s interpretation of a statute is, rather than the sufficiency of its factual findings. Auer deference concerns interpretations of agency regulations.

The sufficiency of factual findings in the record is evaluated under the substantial evidence standard. When a court reviews an agency’s factual determinations, it defers if the record contains substantial evidence—evidence a reasonable person might accept as adequate to support the conclusions. The focus is on whether the facts found by the agency are supported by enough evidence in the whole record; the court does not reweigh competing evidence or substitute its own view of the facts. By contrast, the arbitrary and capricious standard looks at the overall reasonableness and whether the agency considered relevant factors and followed proper procedures. Skidmore deference concerns how persuasive an agency’s interpretation of a statute is, rather than the sufficiency of its factual findings. Auer deference concerns interpretations of agency regulations.