Delimitation of the prohibition of reformatio in peius in the Peruvian legal system: Proposal for a coherent application

The application of the prohibition of reformatio in peius in administrative proceedings is a confusing issue in Peru. This principle, intended to limit the actions of the Public Administration, preventing it from worsening the situation of the appellant when resolving an administrative appeal, faces serious difficulties in fulfilling its objective when the administrative authority decides to declare the nullity of a sanction and remit it to the authority that issued it. The diverse Peruvian administrative casuistry shows that, faced with this circumstance, some administrative authorities whose act was annulled, in some cases and if they determine that it corresponds, impose a more serious sanction or refrain from doing so, depending on how they understand the prohibition of reformatio in peius. Therefore, with the purpose of establishing clarity on the matter, this article examines the basis of the principle of prohibition of reformatio in pejus in Peruvian administrative law, as well as the implications of the declaration of nullity of a sanction for the commission of an infringing conduct, and in terms of the issuance of a new sanction, especially if it is higher. In addition, the elements and grounds considered for the declaration of nullity of an infringing conduct in the event of a correctable defect of motivation are analyzed.