Arbitrary and Capricious

Definition

A standard of review under the Administrative Procedure Act meaning that agency action must have a rational basis and cannot be taken without consideration of relevant factors. Actions that are unexplained, inconsistent, or based on irrational reasoning can be set aside as arbitrary and capricious.

Examples

• •AT&T challenged the FCC regulations as arbitrary and capricious because the agency allegedly failed to consider important aspects of the problem

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