Verdad y Derecho
Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales
Vol. 1(3), 1-5, 2022
https://doi.org/10.62574/3tgths25
1
Exploring legal principles in the efficient resolution of complex legal disputes
Exploración de los principios legales en la resolución eficiente de conflictos
judiciales complejos
David Gregorio Rodríguez-Quinteros
david.rodriguez.67@est.ucacue.edu.ec
Universidad Católica de Cuenca, La Troncal, Cañar, Ecuador
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3443-3878
ABSTRACT
This analysis sheds light on the comprehensive application of legal principles in the Ecuadorian
judicial labyrinth. It highlights their crucial role in the quest for not only efficient but also equitable
justice, emphasising the importance of an interdisciplinary approach and the need for a thorough
understanding of principles when applying rights. In an ever-changing global environment, a
thorough exploration of these legal foundations proves to be an essential element for justice that
is not only effective, but also oriented towards respecting and safeguarding the fundamental rights
of all citizens.
Descriptors: courts; legal procedure; legal decisions. (Source: UNESCO Thesaurus).
RESUMEN
Este análisis arroja luz sobre la integral aplicación de principios legales en el laberinto judicial
ecuatoriano. Pone en relieve su papel crucial en la búsqueda de una justicia no solo eficiente
sino también equitativa, destacando la importancia de un enfoque interdisciplinario y la necesidad
de una comprensión profunda de los principios al aplicar derechos. En un entorno global en
constante cambio, la exploración minuciosa de estos fundamentos legales se revela como un
elemento esencial para una justicia que no solo sea efectiva, sino también orientada hacia el
respeto y salvaguarda de los derechos fundamentales de todos los ciudadanos.
Descriptores: tribunal; procedimiento legal; sentencia judicial. (Fuente: Tesauro UNESCO).
Received: 15/06/2022. Revised: 16/07/2022. Approved: 03/08/2022. Published: 01/09/2022.
Letter to the editor
Verdad y Derecho
Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales
Vol. 1(3), 1-5, 2022
Exploración de los principios legales en la resolución eficiente de conflictos judiciales complejos
Exploring legal principles in the efficient resolution of complex legal disputes
David Gregorio Rodríguez-Quinteros
2
Legal principles in the efficient resolution of complex judicial conflicts
In the Ecuadorian legal sphere, the interdisciplinary investigation of legal
principles is a fundamental pillar for the efficient resolution of complex judicial
conflicts. This analysis deals in depth with the application of these principles
within the guaranteeing framework provided by the Ecuadorian Constitution,
recognising the declaration of their applicability by the legal norm (Velásquez-
Velásquez, 2011) (Rendón-López, 2012) (Rendón-López, 2012).
The imperative need to use principles in cases that merit it emerges as an
essential guideline to achieve the required speed and effectiveness in judicial
processes. In this context, the principle of minimum criminal intervention stands
out as a guardian of the limits of state power, promoting the search for non-
criminal mechanisms for the legal solution of conflicts (Monroy-Rodríguez, 2016).
No less relevant is the principle of opportunity, which is distinguished by granting
the prosecutor the power to exercise his or her activity in a regulated manner,
prioritising the efficiency of public utility and avoiding the prosecution of
unnecessary crimes. This tool can lead to the extinction of the criminal
prosecution, although it does not exclude the possibility of the victim seeking
justice through alternative channels, whether administrative or civil.
Article 195 of the Ecuadorian constitution clearly establishes the powers of the
prosecutor when initiating an investigation, underlining the importance of acting
under the principles of opportunity and minimum criminal intervention (Salame-
Ortiz, et al. 2020). However, the application of these principles is limited by the
principle of legality, which demands the judge's sound criticism to determine the
most lawful application and to rule on the materiality of the offence (Benavides-
Ordóñez, 2018).
Verdad y Derecho
Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales
Vol. 1(3), 1-5, 2022
Exploración de los principios legales en la resolución eficiente de conflictos judiciales complejos
Exploring legal principles in the efficient resolution of complex legal disputes
David Gregorio Rodríguez-Quinteros
3
When considering the Ecuadorian and global social reality, a significant challenge
arises in the application of principles that guide the judge. The weighing of the
disvalue of the action and the result becomes crucial, requiring a doctrinal
approach for a deep understanding of the principles when applying rights.
In this context, the principle of opportunity proves to be a valuable tool in the
efficiency of public utility and the avoidance of superfluous criminal proceedings.
However, its application must go hand in hand with unrestricted respect for the
fundamental rights of individuals, limited to cases where human rights are not
violated. Its nature is not to solve the results of crime, but to avoid prosecution
when legal conditions are not met (Zambrano-Moran, et al. 2022).
The constitutional backing of the principle of minimum intervention in criminal law
stands as a guarantee for its application in Ecuador. Its clear distinction with the
principle of opportunity underlines the search for legal solutions through
extrapenal mechanisms. Here, economic reparation through civil law is presented
as a tangible example of how these principles can be translated into interventions
that are less restrictive of fundamental freedoms and guarantees.
In sum, this analysis offers a comprehensive overview of the application of legal
principles in the complex Ecuadorian judicial scenario. It highlights their
fundamental role in the search for efficient and equitable justice, emphasising the
importance of an interdisciplinary approach and the need for a thorough
understanding of principles when applying rights. In a changing global context,
the exploration of these legal foundations proves to be a crucial element for an
effective justice oriented towards the respect of the fundamental rights of all
citizens.
Closing reflections
The constitutional endorsement of the principle of minimum intervention in
criminal law stands as a strong support for its application in Ecuador. Its clear
distinction from the principle of opportunity underlines the inclination towards
legal solutions that make use of extrapenal mechanisms. Economic reparation
Verdad y Derecho
Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales
Vol. 1(3), 1-5, 2022
Exploración de los principios legales en la resolución eficiente de conflictos judiciales complejos
Exploring legal principles in the efficient resolution of complex legal disputes
David Gregorio Rodríguez-Quinteros
4
through civil law stands as a palpable example of how these principles can be
materialised in interventions that are less restrictive of fundamental freedoms and
guarantees.
In sum, this analysis sheds light on the comprehensive application of legal
principles in the Ecuadorian judicial labyrinth. It highlights their crucial role in the
quest for not only efficient but also equitable justice, emphasising the importance
of an interdisciplinary approach and the need for a thorough understanding of
principles when applying rights. In an ever-changing global environment, a
thorough exploration of these legal foundations proves to be an essential element
for justice that is not only effective, but also oriented towards respecting and
safeguarding the fundamental rights of all citizens.
FUNDING
Non-monetary
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There is no conflict of interest with persons or institutions involved in research.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
To those who defend the fundamental rights of citizens.
REFERENCES
Benavides-Ordóñez, Jorge. (2018). Los procedimientos de reforma en algunas constituciones de
américa latina. Un estudio normativo con particular énfasis en la constitución ecuatoriana
de 2008 [Reform procedures in some Latin American constitutions. A normative study
with particular emphasis on the Ecuadorian constitution of 2008]. Estudios
constitucionales, 16(1), 39-66. https://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-52002018000100039
Monroy-Rodríguez, Ángel A. (2016). Principio de mínima intervención, ¿retórica o realidad? [The
principle of minimum intervention - rhetoric or reality?]. Derecho y Realidad, 11(21).
https://doi.org/10.19053/16923936.v2.n21.2013.4827
Verdad y Derecho
Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales
Vol. 1(3), 1-5, 2022
Exploración de los principios legales en la resolución eficiente de conflictos judiciales complejos
Exploring legal principles in the efficient resolution of complex legal disputes
David Gregorio Rodríguez-Quinteros
5
Rendón-López, A. (2012). El bioderecho como investigación interdisciplinaria: una respuesta
jurídica [Biolaw as interdisciplinary research: a legal response]. Amicus Curiae. Segunda
Época, 6(4), 1-21.
Salame-Ortiz, Mónica Alexandra, Pérez Mayorga, Betty Cumandá, & San Lucas Solórzano, María
Fernanda. (2020). La víctima en los delitos contra la integridad sexual [The victim in
crimes against sexual integrity]. Revista Universidad y Sociedad, 12(3), 353-363.
Velásquez-Velásquez, F. (2011). Proceso penal y principio de oportunidad [Criminal proceedings
and the principle of opportunity]. Revista Digital De Ciencias Penales De Costa Rica, (3),
128.
Zambrano-Moran, Anthony Nicodemo, Ronquillo-Riera, Orlando Iván, & Moreno-Arvelo, Pamilys
Milagros. (2022). Evolución del control constitucional en el Ecuador [Evolution of
constitutional control in Ecuador]. Iustitia Socialis. Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas
y Criminalísticas, 7(12), 64-68. https://doi.org/10.35381/racji.v7i12.1574
Copyright: 2022 By the authors. This article is open access and distributed under the terms and conditions of
the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) licence.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
