The Role of Non-Adjudicative Facts in Judicial Decisionmaking

In this Essay, Judge Timothy B. Dyk of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit considers appellate courts’ use of information from outside the factual record, i.e. “non-adjudicative facts,” when making decisions. Although this practice is commonplace and often harmless, the Essay notes the greater potential for incorrect conclusions when relying on facts outside the record. It urges judges to use non-adjudicative facts with caution, and carefully verify them to avoid serious error.