The Two Pillars of Natural Justice — KSLU Administrative Law Notes

The Two Pillars of Natural Justice

Natural justice is the body of judge-made procedural fairness that binds any authority deciding matters affecting rights — its two classical limbs are nemo judex in causa sua (no bias) and audi alteram partem (hear the other side), with a modern third limb of reasoned decisions. Since A.K. Kraipak (1969) these apply not only to quasi-judicial but to administrative action affecting rights.

flowchart TD
    A["NATURAL JUSTICE"]:::root
    A --> B["NEMO JUDEX IN CAUSA SUA<br/>(rule against bias)"]:::leaf
    B --> B1["Pecuniary bias"]:::sub
    B --> B2["Personal bias"]:::sub
    B --> B3["Subject-matter / official bias"]:::sub
    A --> C["AUDI ALTERAM PARTEM<br/>(fair hearing)"]:::leaf
    C --> C1["Notice"]:::sub
    C --> C2["Disclosure of evidence + cross-examination"]:::sub
    C --> C3["Opportunity to represent"]:::sub
    A --> D["REASONED / SPEAKING ORDER<br/>(third limb)"]:::leaf

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The test for bias is the real likelihood / reasonable apprehension of bias in the mind of a reasonable person — actual bias need not be proved (Manak Lal v. Dr. Prem Chand; A.K. Kraipak). The pecuniary bias rule is strict: any financial interest, however small, disqualifies (Dimes v. Grand Junction Canal).