Justifying administrative action for reasonableness: a quest for accountable public administration.

Abstract

Defi ning reasonableness in the positive and knowing its true meaning in the context of public administration is no easy task. This article attempts to explain the practical functioning of the standard of reasonableness in administrative action and decision-making. The aim of having the standard of a reasonable decision-maker is to produce a set of guidelines that public offi cials can use. The very presence of the rationality, proportionality and contextual standards of reasonableness has proved to have a positive guiding or justifying effect on the execution of administrative decisionmaking. These standards of reasonableness have the potential not only to enhance accountability in public administration, but also to enrich the South African administrative justice system.