If the court finds an abuse of discretion, what is a typical remedy?

• A. Remand to the agency for reconsideration
• B. Immediate reversal of the agency decision with no further action
• C. No remedy; the decision stands
• D. Conversion to a declaratory judgment

Answer: (A)

When a court finds abuse of discretion in an agency’s decision, the typical remedy is to remand the case back to the agency for reconsideration. This allows the agency to correct the errors, apply the proper standards, and, if needed, take additional evidence or hold a new hearing, so it can issue a new, standards-compliant decision for the court to review again. It respects the agency’s role and expertise and provides a path to fix the decision within the administrative process.

Other options are not as appropriate: an immediate, full reversal without a chance to address the defects cuts off the agency from correcting its action; there is no remedy would leave the flawed decision standing; and converting to a declaratory judgment doesn’t repair the agency action itself.