Scope of review

§ 17–305. Scope of review (a) In considering an order or judgment of a lower court or any of its branches, brought before it for review, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals shall review the record on appeal. When the issues of fact were tried by jury, the court shall review the case only as to matters of law. When the case was tried without a jury, the court may review both as to the facts and the law, but the judgment may not be set aside except for errors of law unless it appears that the judgment is plainly wrong or without evidence to support it. (b) The District of Columbia Court of Appeals shall hear and determine appeals from orders or decisions of administrative agencies upon the record of proceedings before the appropriate agency to be certified to the court under rules or instructions as the court from time to time prescribes. In such cases, it shall limit its review to those issues 77 Stat. 615of law or fact that are subject to review on appeal under applicable provisions of existing law. If there is no statutory limitation, the court shall determine the appeal by rules of law which define the scope and limitations of review of administrative proceedings. Under the rules, by way of elaboration and not limitation, the court may: (1) as far as necessary to decision and where presented to decide all relevant questions of law, interpret constitutional and statutory provisions, and determine the meaning or applicability of the terms of any agency action; and (2) hold unlawful and set aside agency action findings and conclusions found to be: (A) arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law; (B) contrary to constitutional right, power, privilege, or immunity; (C) in excess of statutory jurisdiction, authority, or limitation, or short of statutory right; (D) without observance of procedure required by law; (E) unsupported by substantial evidence or facts in the record of the proceedings before the court; or (F) unwarranted by the facts. In making the determinations as provided by this subsection, the court shall take account of prejudicial error.