Chevron Deference
Chevron Deference is a legal principle that directs courts to defer to an agency's interpretation of ambiguous laws it administers, as long as the interpretation is reasonable. Established by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1984 Chevron v. NRDC case, it recognizes that agencies, given their expertise and the complexity of regulations, are better positioned to make decisions within their areas of responsibility. Essentially, if a law isn't clear, courts typically trust the agency's understanding unless it is arbitrary or unreasonable. This principle balances judicial review and administrative authority in the regulatory framework.
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Chevron deference is a legal principle stemming from a U.S. Supreme Court case called Chevron U.S.A. Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. (1984). It directs courts to defer to federal agencies' interpretations of ambiguous laws they administer, as long as those interpretations are reasonable. This means that if a law isn't clear, and an agency provides a logical interpretation, courts typically side with the agency’s view. This principle underscores the importance of expertise in regulatory matters, allowing agencies to shape policies based on their specialized knowledge, while ensuring accountability and preventing arbitrary decision-making.