Humphrey Doctrine

The Humphrey Doctrine is a legal principle established in 1935 that limits the U.S. Supreme Court’s ability to review and overturn decisions made by administrative agencies like the Federal Trade Commission. It recognizes that certain agencies are designed to have expertise and independence in their fields, and therefore, their decisions should primarily stand unless there is a clear violation of law or constitutional rights. Essentially, it balances judicial review with respecting the specialized knowledge and autonomy of administrative agencies, ensuring they can effectively regulate within their designated areas.