Legal Definitions - quasi-judicial

Definition: Quasi-judicial means "court-like." It refers to a legal proceeding that is similar to a court proceeding, but is conducted by an administrative or executive official or organization. For example, a hearing conducted by a human rights commission is a quasi-judicial proceeding. A court may review a decision arising from a quasi-judicial proceeding. Quasi-judicial can also refer to a judicial act performed by an official who is either not a judge or not acting in his or her capacity as a judge.

Example: A zoning board hearing is a quasi-judicial proceeding. The board is not a court, but it has the power to make decisions that affect people's property rights. The board hears evidence and arguments from both sides, and then makes a decision. If someone is unhappy with the decision, they can appeal to a court.

Explanation: In this example, the zoning board is acting in a quasi-judicial capacity because it is making decisions that affect people's property rights, similar to a court. However, the board is not a court and its members are not judges. If someone is unhappy with the board's decision, they can appeal to a court, which can review the decision and determine if it was made fairly and according to the law.