Algorithmic Administrative Justice: Procedural Safeguards and Techno-Legal Standards in Crisis-Driven Digital Government
Abstract
Purpose The rapid deployment of automated decision systems in public administration has fundamentally altered the institutional foundations of administrative law. This article examines how traditional procedural safeguards, reason-giving, notice, fair hearing, and judicial review operate within algorithmic governance systems, particularly in crisis contexts such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts a doctrinal and comparative legal methodology, combining analysis of administrative law with algorithmic governance studies. It examines three illustrative case studies involving automated administrative decision systems in different jurisdictions and evaluates their implications for procedural justice. Findings The analysis demonstrates that algorithmic decision systems frequently undermine core procedural guarantees due to opacity, reliance on statistical reasoning, and constraints on institutional capacity. Traditional procedural frameworks are therefore insufficient to govern algorithmic administration. The article proposes a framework of algorithmic administrative justice that translates legal principles into techno-legal standards embedded in system structures, including human-in-the-loop decision-making triggers, counterfactual explanations, algorithmic auditing, and enhanced data transparency. Practical implications The study provides policy guidance for governments deploying automated decision systems, recommending institutional reforms such as mandatory Algorithmic Impact Assessments, specialized administrative tribunals, and the integration of techno-legal expertise within public agencies. Originality/value The article contributes to emerging scholarship on digital administrative law by demonstrating that procedural safeguards must evolve from “procedure as process” toward “procedure as architecture,” ensuring that algorithmic governance remains compatible with principles of administrative justice